Napoleon and Europe

In short: Napoleon Bonaparte (1769–1821) rose after the French Revolution to Emperor of the French and changed Europe through wars, laws and new borders. In 1815 he was finally defeated at Waterloo.

In more detail: His Code civil (1804) still has an effect in many legal systems today.

In detail

• Rise: Coup in 1799, coronation as emperor in 1804 (aufklaerung-und-franzoesische-revolution).
• Reforms: Code civil, school system, uniform administration, equality before the law.
• Wars: Victories such as Austerlitz (1805); the Russian campaign of 1812 ended in catastrophe.
• End of the Holy Roman Empire: In 1806 Emperor Francis II laid down the crown.
• Confederation of the Rhine: German states under French influence.
• Wars of Liberation: Battle of the Nations at Leipzig in 1813.
• Congress of Vienna: In 1814/15 reorganised Europe.
• Exile: Elba, then St Helena, where Napoleon died in 1821.