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Napoleon's Rise, Dominance, and Defeat

Abigail Young

Abigail Young

7 min read

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AP European History: Napoleon Bonaparte - The Ultimate Review 🚀

Hey there, future AP Euro expert! Let's break down Napoleon's wild ride, from rising star to exiled emperor, and get you prepped for exam success. This guide is designed to be your best friend the night before the test—clear, concise, and packed with everything you need. Let's get started!

🇫🇷 Napoleon's Rise to Power

From Hero to Dictator

  • Early Success: Napoleon gained fame by defeating Austria and quelling a royalist revolt during the Thermidorian Reaction. This made him super popular when the Thermidorian government was not.
Quick Fact

Remember, he was seen as a hero before he was a dictator!

* **Coup d'état:** With the help of Emmanuel Joseph Sieyes, Napoleon staged a military coup, leading to a new constitution that made him First Consul.
Key Concept

This marks the shift from revolutionary ideals to authoritarian rule.

* **First Consul:** This title gave Napoleon dictatorial powers, setting the stage for his imperial ambitions.

🖼️ Image: Napoleon's Rise

Napoleon's Rise

Caption: A visual representation of Napoleon's ascent to power, highlighting his military achievements and political maneuvering.

👑 Napoleon's Reign

Domestic Reforms: Order from Chaos

  • Religious Reform:
    • Concordat of 1801: Reconciled the Catholic Church with the state, recognizing Catholicism as the official religion but giving the state control over appointments.
Memory Aid

Think of it as a compromise: Church gets recognition, state gets control.

* Reinstated the Christian calendar. * **Napoleonic Code:** * Established equality before the law, separated church and state, and guaranteed civil liberties.
Key Concept

This code was a major export of the Napoleonic era, impacting legal systems across Europe.

* Abolished feudal privileges and ensured freedom of religion. * I...