#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.

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

#🖼️ Image: 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.

* Reinstated the Christian calendar. * **Napoleonic Code:** * Established equality before the law, separated church and state, and guaranteed civil liberties. * Abolished feudal privileges and ensured freedom of religion. * Included provisions for marriage, divorce, inheritance, and freedom of contract.

#Military Strength: Expansion and Control

• Emperor of the French Empire: Napoleon crowned himself emperor, signaling his imperial ambitions.

* **Napoleonic Wars:** A series of conflicts sparked by Napoleon's desire for expansion, spreading French revolutionary ideals across Europe. * **Military Tactics:** Introduced conscription, created a more efficient army, and established military schools to train officers.

#Suppressing Dissent: The Dark Side

• Censorship: Strict laws controlled information, suppressing criticism of the government and military.

* **Secret Police:** The Fouché police monitored and suppressed political dissent, arresting and detaining individuals without trial. This is a great example of how revolutionary ideals can be betrayed by authoritarian practices.

#📉 Napoleon's Fall

#The Beginning of the End

• Invasion of Russia (1812): The disastrous Russian campaign decimated the Grand Army.

* **War of the Sixth Coalition:** Russia, Prussia, Austria, and Great Britain united against Napoleon, leading to his abdication in 1814. * **First Exile:** Napoleon was exiled to Elba, and the Bourbon monarchy was restored under King Louis XVIII.

#The Hundred Days and Final Defeat

• Escape from Elba: Napoleon returned to France, overthrew the Bourbon monarchy, and resumed his role as Emperor.

* **Hundred Days' War (War of the Seventh Coalition):** The coalition of European powers declared war again. * **Battle of Waterloo (1815):** Napoleon's final defeat, leading to his second abdication and exile to St. Helena. * **Congress of Vienna:** Redrew the political boundaries of Europe and restored pre-revolutionary monarchies, weakening France.

#🖼️ Image: Napoleon's Second Exile

Caption: Napoleon's final exile to St. Helena, marking the end of his reign and the French Empire.

#🎯 Final Exam Focus

#High-Priority Topics:

• Napoleon's Rise and Fall: Understand the key events, turning points, and factors that contributed to his success and downfall.
• Domestic Reforms: Focus on the Napoleonic Code and the Concordat of 1801 and their long-term impact.
• Military Strategies: Be familiar with Napoleon's tactics and how they contributed to his early victories.
• Impact on Europe: Analyze the effects of Napoleon's rule on the political landscape of Europe, especially the Congress of Vienna. The Congress of Vienna is a major topic for the post-Napoleonic era.

#Common Question Types:

• Multiple Choice: Expect questions about key events, reforms, and the impact of Napoleonic rule.
• Short Answer: Prepare to analyze specific reforms or military campaigns.
• Free Response: Be ready to discuss Napoleon's legacy, his impact on European politics, and the long-term effects of his rule.

#Last-Minute Tips:

• Time Management: Pace yourself during the exam. Don't spend too much time on any single question.
• Common Pitfalls: Avoid oversimplifying Napoleon's legacy—acknowledge both his positive reforms and his authoritarian tendencies.
• Strategies: Read all questions carefully, outline your answers before writing, and use specific historical evidence to support your claims.

#📝 Practice Questions

Practice Question

#Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following was a major goal of the Congress of Vienna? (A) To establish a unified German state (B) To restore the balance of power in Europe (C) To promote democratic reforms (D) To support the spread of nationalism

2. The Napoleonic Code primarily aimed to: (A) Reinstate feudal privileges (B) Establish equality under the law (C) Promote the power of the Church (D) Limit individual liberties

3. What was the significance of the Battle of Waterloo? (A) It marked the height of Napoleon's power (B) It led to Napoleon's first exile (C) It resulted in Napoleon's final defeat (D) It established the Napoleonic Code

#Free Response Question

Analyze the ways in which Napoleon Bonaparte both continued and departed from the goals of the French Revolution. (9 points)

Point Breakdown:

• Thesis (1 point): Presents a thesis that makes a historically defensible claim and establishes a line of reasoning.
• Continuity (3 points): Provides specific examples of how Napoleon continued the goals of the French Revolution, such as:
  • The Napoleonic Code's emphasis on equality before the law.
  • The abolition of feudal privileges.
  • The spread of revolutionary ideals through conquest.
• Departure (3 points): Provides specific examples of how Napoleon departed from the goals of the French Revolution, such as:
  • His establishment of an authoritarian regime.
  • The suppression of political dissent through censorship and secret police.
  • His imperial ambitions and the creation of a new aristocracy.
• Synthesis (1 point): Extends the argument by explaining the connections between the French Revolution and Napoleon's rule, such as:
  • How the revolution's instability created an opportunity for Napoleon.
  • How Napoleon's actions ultimately led to a reaction against revolutionary ideals.

You've got this! Remember, you're not just memorizing facts; you're understanding a pivotal moment in European history. Go get that 5! 🌟