Rewrite European History homework

Napoleon became a general in 1796, and commanded the French Army of Italy against the Austrians. He showed great promise and talent, and he knew that he was special. In 1799, seeing it as his duty, he returned to France and overthrew the Directory (French government at the time) with the help of a few fellow conspirators. He then declared himself first consul in 1802, then emperor in 1804.

2. How was Napoleon able to stabilize internal domestic issues in France?

Napoleon can be considered an enlightened despot, and used multiple Enlightenment ideas to stabilize France, namely: establishing a public education system that allowed even poor families to go to school, enacting the Code Napoleon – a document that gave the people of France greater equality and freedom, improving the nation’s infrastructure, and establishing a single national currency.

3. How was Napoleon able to rally the French army against their enemies?

Napoleon became very liked by the French people after he stabilized their country and their way of life. Afterwards, all Napoleon had to do was to state that their cause, to liberate Europe from the yokes of the monarchies, was true.

4. What mistakes did Napoleon make in his invasion of Russia?

He didn’t supply his troops with sufficient winter clothing, and many froze to death. Also, by marching deep into Russian territory, the French Grand Army distanced itself further from their supply lines, which caused food shortages. Napoleon also didn’t anticipate how large the country actually is, and lost many of his troops due to physical exhaustion. Over 600,000 French troops entered, and only a small fraction left.

5. What happened to Napoleon after his army failed in Russia?

Napoleon lost a very experienced and effective army in Russia. The army he raised afterwards was not nearly as efficient, and as a result, Napoleon’s enemies organized a coalition to overthrow him. In the spring of 1814, they were successful, and Napoleon was exiled to Elba. However, being the ambitious man that he was, he returned to France, and desperately tried to regain his power. He was defeated again at Waterloo in June 1815, and was banished to Saint Helena. He would live here for the last six years of his life.

6. What legacy did Napoleon leave in Europe?

Napoleon brought the nation of France to greatness from turmoil. He also conquered virtually all of continental Europe, save for Russia and the Ottoman Empire. He brought Enlightenment ideas to much of Europe – ideas that had first caused the Revolution in France in the first place. This would lead to new stirrings in other European nations, and the eventual collapse of the European monarchies.