12.2.2

Napoleon’s Rise to Power

Test yourself

Napoleon’s Rise to Power

In the midst of France’s chaos, a man called Napoleon Bonaparte rose to power in the military and went on to establish himself as leader of a powerful French Empire.

Illustrative background for Political crisis Illustrative background for Political crisis  ?? "content

Political crisis

  • By 1799 AD, France was in a political crisis.
  • It had been ten years since the Storming of the Bastille and, although many progressive political steps had been made in France, there was no strong leadership in the country.
Illustrative background for The DirectorateIllustrative background for The Directorate ?? "content

The Directorate

  • Robespierre’s reign of terror was over, and France was now being governed by a Directorate of five people, who had no clear political aims or agenda for the country.
  • It was in this political environment that Napoleon seized power.
Illustrative background for The coup Illustrative background for The coup  ?? "content

The coup

  • He returned to France and staged a coup (a military take-over) against the Directorate in November 1799 AD.
  • Many people in France welcomed this, seeing Napoleon as a strong and decisive leader who would unify France after years of chaos.
Illustrative background for The First Consul of FranceIllustrative background for The First Consul of France ?? "content

The First Consul of France

  • Napoleon was made First Consul of France at the age of just thirty and took total control of French politics.
  • The French Revolution had come to an end, and France entered the Napoleonic Era.

Jump to other topics

1The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

1.1Anglo-Saxon England

1.2The Contest for the English Throne

1.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

1.4King John

1.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

1.6The Black Death

2Worldviews

3The Empire of Mali

4The Renaissance & Reformations, 1500-1598 AD

5The British Empire, 1583-1960 AD

6The Peasants' Revolt

7Religion in the Middle Ages

8Slavery, 1619-1833 AD

9The English Civil War, 1642-1660

10The Industrial Revolution, 1750-1840

11US Independence, 1775-1783

12The French Revolution, 1789-1815

13The British Empire, 1857–1930

14Suffrage

15World War 1, 1914-1918

16The Inter-War Years, 1919-1939

17World War 2, 1939-1945

18The Cold War, 1947-1962

19Civil Rights in the USA, 1954-1975

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson