Napoleon I - biography.

Napoleon I - biography. Emperor of the French Birth August 15, 1769 Death May 5, 1821 Place of Birth Ajaccio, Corsica Known for Conquering a large part of Europe Instituting French governmental reforms, granting civil rights, and reforming administrative and judicial systems Milestones 1793 Played an instrumental role in the French defeat of the British at Toulon, for which he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general November 9-10, 1799 Overthrew the French government and became first consul of a provisional government May 18, 1804 Established France as an empire with himself as emperor December 2, 1805 Led French troops to victory over the Austrian and Russian armies at Austerlitz (now Slavkov, Czech Republic) 1808 Invaded Spain and proclaimed his brother Joseph king, touching off the six-year-long Peninsular War 1812 Invaded Russia, but was forced to retreat after losing more than four-fifths of his army April 11, 1814 Was forced to abdicate unconditionally after a coalition of European countries captured Paris; was exiled to the island of Elba March 20, 1815 Returned to Paris after escaping from Elba, and again declared himself emperor June 18, 1815 Was defeated during a final battle at Waterloo June 22, 1815 Abdicated a second time and was exiled to the island of Saint Helena Did You Napoleon was actually granted sovereignty over the island of Elba during his first exile. Know A brilliant military commander, Napoleon repeatedly defeated military forces superior in size to his own. Napoleon maintained many of the egalitarian principles of the French Revolution, including equality before the law and freedom of religion. Napoleon created French satellite kingdoms in Holland, Italy, Germany, and Spain, and placed his brothers and other relatives on their thrones. The army assembled by Napoleon in 1812 was the largest yet seen in Europe. Though tradition called for the pope to crown the emperor, Napoleon took the crown from Pope Pius VII's hands and placed it on his own head. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.