Glencoe World History

"Emperor Napoleon"

Introduction
Napoleon was a brilliant politician and a military genius. He convinced the French people to accept him not only as consul for life, but as an emperor, whose title would be inherited by members of his family. In this activity you will read excerpts of Napoleon's own account of the reasons for his crowning as emperor, and the benefits he believed the crowning would have for the French people.

Destination Title: Hanover Historical Texts Project

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Directions

Start at the Hanover Historical Texts Project Web site.

• Under "Europe," click on Modern.
• Click on Napoleon, Account of the Situation of the Empire (1804) excerpts. Read the article, taking notes as you read.

1			Which form of government does Napoleon believe endures best, and why?
2			How does Napoleon describe the relationship between religion and his crowning as emperor?
3			In what way does Napoleon reveal his concern for his own legacy?
4			What are the four major accomplishments of his rule that Napoleon discusses at length?
5			The reaction of the French people to the news that Napoleon had been crowned emperor differed depending on the person and that person's place in French society. Imagine you are one of three French people: a priest, a woman school teacher, and a former aristocrat (a man or a woman) now living in exile. Using what you have learned in your textbook and on the Web site, on a separate sheet of paper write a letter to a friend from that person's perspective, expressing your reaction and your hopes and fears about Napoleon. Where possible, mention conditions each person would have experienced since the revolution.