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Summary OCR History A-Level - Napoleon Revision Guide
OCR History A-Level - Napoleon Revision Guide. Gained an A*.
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HistoryA-Level
Napoleon
,Why did Napoleon come to power in 1799?
Factor Napoleon’s abilities Other factors
Early life - - Napoleon made use of his opportunities in France – though he was considered an
outsider because of his Italian appearance and accent – isolates socially, especially by
Born in Corsica in 1769, at the time France had recently taken contro
Carlo was a minor aristocrat and lawyer and was able to gain the favo
1789 the military academy in Paris he studied Maths, military theory, philosophy and authorities by working for them, he used his influence to secure an e
history, not typical of the cadets of his day sons (brother Joseph) in France - It was important for the French to g
- He specialized in artillery , which proved useful later on the battle field – however leaders of Corsican society as the island was particularly hard to cont
there were few prospects for his as lieutenant in the garrison town of Auxerre until
the Revolution brought more opportunities
Early Revolution - Inspired by the enthusiasm for change that the events of 1789 brought about, he - Napoleon made some key friendships in Paris, his association w
and Siege of went back to Corsica and took part in attempts to spread the revolution – however especially Robs brother Augustin and the Corsican Jacobin depu
he became involved in local power struggles, making the island too dangerous for promotion to be commander of Artillery of the French force of
Toulon 1793 both him and his family and they moved to France - key development. of Toulon
- 1793 found himself in a key position in Toulon and began a series of military
successes that were to take him to over power in France by 1799
- Owed his appointment to his political connections – British seizure of the major naval
base at Toulon in 1793 was of major importance – The Revolution was threatened
both from within and outside of France - Napoleon provided the plan that led to the
recapture of the city by taking the heights which overlooked the port – effective use
of artillery and showed courage, suffering a Bayonet wound to the leg in the fighting
– led to Bonaparte being given promotion to Brigadier General at the age of 24 in
December 1793
- He became a nationally-known figure because of his own ability and also because of
the political contracts that had allowed him to persuade his superiors to adopt his
successful plan
Impact of the - Whether or not he delivered the ‘whiff of grapeshot’ on the rebels is unclear – but it - Proved himself as supporter of the revolution and against royali
Revolution to is clear that he took credit for it and when his friend Barras was appointed on of the extreme extent – ruthless, efficient and skilled general
Directors, Napoleon was promoted to Command of the Army of the Interior – aged
1795 & the 26 without ever commanding a significant force on a battlefield
Vendemiaire - He found himself in charge of the largest army in France – his ascent had been
Uprising nothing short of meteoric but he wasn’t completely satisfied with his new role – he
wanted field command of the Army of Italy
Italian - Defended Government and had a good record in Toulon – March 1796 he was - Revolutionary war in which he proved himself would have been
Campaign appointed to command the French army in Italy Revolution
- Rapid movements and concentration of Napoleons forces lead to a series of victories - When jacobins fell in 1794, he was placed under house arrest, b
1796-97 in April, the Piedmontese made peace and Bonaparte entered Milan – he failed to ensured his release, eager to avoid a commander fighting the re
take the key fortress of Mantua and faced Austrian counter attacks put forward plans to drive the Austrians out of Italy
- Elderly Austrian commanders faced a highly dynamic French general who moved - Politics gave him the chance to put this into operation, governm
faster and kept his opponents forces divided - much was made of heroic incidents unrest and needed military force to protect them from the Paris
,Why did Napoleon come to power in 1799? Luck
Seige of Toulon: Personal skills
Federal Revolt response to unpopular Jacobin government throughout 1793, involved Help of others
breakaways from central government e.g. Lyon and Marseilles Opportunities of the
February 1793 – Toulon revolt leads to British control of key port, Seige established by Weaknesses of estab
generals / the Direct
General Carteaux – doesn’t really get anywhere as they can get supplies from the sea via
the navy
September – Napoleon offered chance to replace injured artillery officer at Toulon by
friend and senior representative in mission as well as a fellow Corsican Saliceti. Thanks in
large part due to the flight of the emigres’
Napoleon arrives with energy and launches a fierce attack on British fort on one end of
the port defending the port before directing his guns on the British navy, successfully
captures the port– marks himself as a good military man and is hailed as a hero
Consequences of Toulon Napoleon, Paris and the Terror
- His skill with artillery marked himself out as a skilled military commandeer - After the Coup of Thermidor Napo
- Brought him to the attention of a number of powerful men in Paris – he arrest due to his friendship with the
successfully crushed the counter revolution in the port brothers, being an outspoken Jacob
- His role in the siege brought him promotion to Brigadier General and - He is saved by the intervention of S
appointed commander of the Artillery of Italy
, The Vendemiaire Uprising - 1795
Causes: Conduct: Consequences:
- Following the overthrow of the Jacobins, there was a - Faced with a royalist uprising in Paris 1-5 th - Proved himself as supporter of the revolution and
return to a less extreme system of government - 1795 a October 1795, Directory was determined to use activity to an almost extreme extent – ruthless, effici
new more moderate constitution was adopted which all methods available to preserve order. general
aimed to secure the position of the bourgeoisie over all - The Commander of the Army of the Interior , - Whether or not he delivered the ‘whiff of grape
other groups in political life of the nation General Menou, was dismissed because of his unclear – but it is clear that he took credit for it
- This had been achieved in the following ways: reluctance to open fire on the rioters – Barras Barras was appointed on of the Directors, Napol
- Ensuring that political power was in the hands of the assume control of the situation, appealed to any Command of the Army of the Interior – aged 26
propertied classes who paid high levels of taxes officers in the city without posting to come to the commanding a significant force on a battlefield
- Heading up the government with an executive of five aid of the government – Napoleon, removed - He found himself in charge of the largest army in
Directors from the army list, answered his calls and was had been nothing short of meteoric but he wasn
- Having a two-chamber legislature comprising from made one of the Commanders – he proved to be satisfied with his new role – he wanted field com
Councils of Five Hundred and a Council of Ancients in the right place at the right time Italy
- These arrangements were intended to prevent a - The decisive incident in the crisis was the killing - Napoleon was compelled to bide his time to gai
dictatorship as no single person or body could control of a large number of rebels, possibly by fighting army – as commander of the AI he was
the state – new system was characterized by a series of ‘grapeshot; in the narrow streets near the Church the Jacobin Club whose politics he now rejected
conflicts and disputes – failed to deal with the deep of Saint-Roche – generally asserted that and fell in love with Josephine de Beauharnais, w
divisions in French society that were a legacy of the Napoleon gave the order to fire on the rebels politician and soldier who had been executed in
early revolution, most significant of these was religious killing a possibly 400 people and well known in Parisian society, married 9 th M
(those for and against the Catholic Church), social - His desire to prove himself on the battlefield wa
( poor, rich middle and upper classes) and political political masters in the Directory, despite the fac
(republican and royalist) confined to securing the Republic from its intern
- Royalist had enough of the Revolutions constant not stop him from commenting on the campaign
commotion place rather ineffectually in Italy
- From the outset the new regime faced opponents on - He was partially critical of the commander in ch
the left and right – its response was to ignore the will General Scherer
of the people and resort to force - There were three decisive factors that led to the
Carnot, to appoint Napoleon on 2 nd of March 17
the Army in Italy :
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