Highlands Ranch High School - Mr. Sedivy
Highlands Ranch, Colorado
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History -
The Napoleonic Era

The Napoleonic Era

Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France
Napoleon's Problems
Britain was too strong because they got allies to beat France. Eventually
they beat Napoleon at Trafalgar, and Napoleon gave up the idea of
invading Britain. French troops were intercepted by Horatio Lord
Nelson at Trafalgar.
Spain and Germany fought back. Spain used guerilla tactics. Napoleon
lost 300,000 men. Napoleon had put his brother on the throne of
Spain, and had made changes in the religion. The Spanish didn't
like it, and when the French brutally tried to crush the rebellions,
the Spanish got even madder.
Napoleon invaded Russia in 1812. (Invaded June of 1812 - Borodino)
During September of 1812, Napoleon arrived at the onset of one of
the worst winters in Russian history. This was a disaster. Of the
614,000 men who went, only 40,000 came back. The temperature got
to -30--o on the way back.
Europe got an alliance and beat him. Napoleon was exiled to Elba
(off Italy). Louis XVIII took over. He was the brother of Louis
XVI.
On March 1, 1815, Napoleon escaped and came back. Napoleon entered
Paris on March 20, 1815 to cheering crowds. "The Hundred Days"
Napoleon fought the British and Prussians at Waterloo in June 1815.
He was beaten badly and sent to St. Helena (1,000 miles from the
coast of S. Africa). Napoleon died six years later.

Saint Bernard presumed to teach the Devil himself.
Ask Mr. Sedivy about Napoleon's self-comparison and this irony.
Results on Europe of the Napoleonic Era
His conquest spread ideals and reforms of the French Revolution
- ideas of freedom and equality.
As a "Reaction" to Napoleon, ideas of Nationalism grew, many to
create independent nations.
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