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Year 8

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.

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New
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Year 8

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.

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Share activities with pupils
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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Napoleon, a young revolutionary from Corsica, became the most powerful general in the French army.
  2. Napoleon conquered a portion of northern Italy and established a new country based on revolutionary principles.
  3. Napoleon had initial success conquering Egypt but was ultimately forced to retreat to France.
  4. Parisians at this time were unhappy with the Directorate and began to agitate for a change in the Republic's leadership.
  5. 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.

Encourage students to see Napoleon's rise to Emperor as a result of his own success but also the failure of France domestically in the period after the Revolution.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Who did Wolfe Tone go to for help in rebelling against British rule in Ireland?
King Louis XVI
William Pitt the Younger
Correct answer: Napoleon
William Pitt the Elder
Q2.
Match these events with the year in which they occurred.
Correct Answer:The Acts of Union,1801

1801

Correct Answer:The Irish Rebellion,1798

1798

Correct Answer:The outbreak of the French Revolution ,1789

1789

Q3.
True or false: the French Revolution had no impact on Ireland.
True
Correct answer: False
Q4.
In what year did the Irish Rebellion take place?
Correct Answer: 1798
Q5.
Who was a founder and leader of the United Irishmen, the group that rebelled against British rule in Ireland?
Wolf Tone
Tony Wolfe
Tony Wolf
Correct answer: Wolfe Tone
Wolf Tone
Q6.
British cartoonists generally tried to portray the United Irishmen as...
competent
Correct answer: disorganised
professional
Correct answer: unprofessional

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What word is given to a leader of a republic who shares power with another one or two leaders?
Correct Answer: Consul, consul
Q2.
Select the correct option to complete the following sentence: "Napoleon was able to ..."
"... rise through the ranks of the French military slowly."
"... completely conquer Egypt with no problems."
Correct answer: "... rise through the ranks of the French military quickly."
"... completely conquer Egypt after much difficulty."
Q3.
Put the following events into chronological order, starting with the earliest:
1 - Napoleon became general of the French Revolutionary Army.
2 - Napoleon set up French 'sister' states, the Cisalpine and the Ligurian Republic.
3 - Napoleon launched his Egypt expedition.
4 - Napoleon returned to France and seized power from the Directory.
5 - Napoleon named himself 'First Consul' of the French Republic.
Q4.
Match the terms with their correct definitions.
Correct Answer:Napoleon,The general of the French Revolutionary Army

The general of the French Revolutionary Army

Correct Answer:The Directory,The group of elites who governed France after the French Revolution

The group of elites who governed France after the French Revolution

Correct Answer:Dictatorship,A type of government where one person has absolute power and authority

A type of government where one person has absolute power and authority

Q5.
Complete the following sentence: "Napoleon had initial success in Egypt but was forced to ..."
"... surrender to the British after the Battle of the Pyramids."
Correct answer: "... return to France from Egypt due to naval defeats and Parisian discontent."
"... bow down to the Directory's demands that he resign as general of the army."
Q6.
Which two of the countries below did Napoleon win victory over in northern Italy?
Correct answer: Austria
Spain
Britain
Correct answer: Sardinia

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