The rise of Napoleon and his fight for the new French Republic
I can explain how Napoleon rose to power at the end of the 18th century.
The rise of Napoleon and his fight for the new French Republic
I can explain how Napoleon rose to power at the end of the 18th century.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Napoleon, a young revolutionary from Corsica, became the most powerful general in the French army.
- Napoleon conquered a portion of northern Italy and established a new country based on revolutionary principles.
- Napoleon had initial success conquering Egypt but was ultimately forced to retreat to France.
- Parisians at this time were unhappy with the Directorate and began to agitate for a change in the Republic's leadership.
- Napoleon took power through a coup d'etat in 1799, declared himself First Consul and established a military dictatorship
Keywords
Emperor - an emperor is the absolute ruler of an empire
Directory - the Directory was the name given to the group who controlled France in the period following the French Revolution
Consul - a Consul is normally one of two or more leaders of a republic who share power between them
Dictatorship - a dictatorship is another name for a country that is ruled by just one person with absolute power and authority
Common misconception
Napoleon only ever experienced success during this period, and was never defeated.
Napoleon faced military setbacks (particularly at sea) during this period, usually at the hands of the British.
To help you plan your year 8 history lesson on: The rise of Napoleon and his fight for the new French Republic, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 8 history lesson on: The rise of Napoleon and his fight for the new French Republic, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 history lessons from the The French Revolution: How did Europe respond to the French Revolution? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
1801
1798
1789
Exit quiz
6 Questions
The general of the French Revolutionary Army
The group of elites who governed France after the French Revolution
A type of government where one person has absolute power and authority