Biography of an Emperor
Born in 1769 in the city of Ajaccio, the future Emperor's first home was on this major Mediterranean island. He visited it for the last time in 1799.
What is Corsica?
This event marked the beginning of the French Revolution on July 14th, 1789. Today, the day of the event is a French national holiday
What is the storming of the Bastille?
What is the Battle of Austerlitz?
Nicknamed the Bravest of the Brave for his actions in Russia, he was executed by firing squad for treason following the defeat at the Battle of Waterloo.
Who is Marshal Michel Ney?
This man rose to become Emperor (not of France) during the Napoleonic Wars. He symbolically kissed Napoleon during their negotiations at Tilsit in 1807
Who is Emperor Alexander?
This woman, born in Martinique in 1763, became Napoleon's first wife in 1796. Unable to bear him a child, they divorced in 1810. She thereafter became Duchess of Navarre and retained the title of Empress.
Who is Josephine de Beauharnais?
This government with a 5-man executive branch was put in power in 1795 as one of many solutions aimed at solving the problems of the fledgling Republic. This one didn't do much either.
What is the Directory?
A young Bonaparte won this battle, outnumbered more than 2:1 at its start, near Lake Garda in 1797. A young Antoine La Salle made the decisive cavalry charge that captured thousands of Austrians.
What is the Battle of Rivoli?
The Iron Marshal, this Marshal played pivotal roles in major tactical engagements at Austerlitz, Auerstadt, Eylau, and Wagram.
Who is Marshal Louis-Nicolas Davout?
Rising to prominence during the latter years of the war, this man helped at many stages to broker peace between France the Sixth Coalition, as well as leading the Congress of Vienna following France's defeat.
Who is Klemens von Metternich?
He, the Duke of Reichstadt, died in 1832 of tuberculosis as Napoleon's only legitimate descendant; he was previously known as the King of Rome, and at one point served as Emperor of the French for two days!
Who is Napoleon II? (A.K.A. Napoleon Francois Joseph Charles Bonaparte)
This city, and the navy it housed, joined the French counter-revolution in 1793, resulting in a protracted siege. One particular artillery captain distinguished himself in breaking the siege.
What is Toulon?
Napoleon won the day here in 1806, though one of his officers stole the show, winning a separate engagement against the main Prussian army 10 miles away with only his own III Corps.
What is the Battle of Jena-Auerstadt?
Awarded the title Duke of Reggio in 1808, this Marshal was wounded upwards of 36 times during the Napoleonic Wars. In many ways, it wasn't a real battle if he wasn't wounded.
Who is Marshal Nicolas Oudinot?
Perhaps the greatest general to rival Napoleon during the Napoleonic Wars, earning the title of Generalissimo, he died of illness in 1800. Regrettably, he and Napoleon never met on the battlefield.
Who is Alexander Suvorov?
A noblewoman with strong interest in Polish independence, she spent a winter in Warsaw with Napoleon during the 1806-1807 campaign against Prussia. Surprise, surprise... a child was born!
Who is Marie Walewska?
This region of France erupted in revolt and counter-revolution against the new Republic, instigating a civil war which became the bloodiest chapter of the Revolution. General Hoche finally quashed it in 1796.
Often called the Battle of the Nations, soldiers from over a dozen countries took part in one of Napoleon's heaviest defeats over four days of fighting.
What is the Battle of Leipzig?
Another rising star in the French army during Napoleon's ascent to fame, this Marshal threw away his bicorn to become Crown Prince of Sweden in 1810.
Humiliated at Auerstedt in 1806, he rose to become the most important Prussian Marshal of the age. He fought at Lutzen, Bautzen, and Leipzig in 1813, and participated in crushing Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815.
Who is Marshal Gebhard Leberecht von Blucher?
Among Napoleon's many siblings, this one distinguished himself as President of the council of 500, and played a pivotal role in the coup which brought Napoleon to power.
Who is Lucien Bonaparte?
This treaty ended the War of the First Coalition, also the first of the French Revolutionary Wars. It also ended the 1200-year history of the Republic of Venice!
What is the Treaty of Campo Formio?
Napoleon wasn't present for this battle, which saw the future Marshal Jean-Baptiste Jourdan win a brilliant victory. This battle also saw the first effective use of an aircraft in military history.
What is the Battle of Fleurus?
Nicknamed 'Napoleon's Wife', this Marshal organized an infamous incident in which Napoleon was almost consumed by rabbits. His great-grandson, the 4th Prince of Wagram, died fighting in World War I.
This British general has the singular honor of being the only general to surrender to both Napoleon in 1793, and George Washington in 1781.
Who is General Charles O'Hara?