First French Empire

The First French Empire, also known as the Greater French Empire or Napoleonic Empire, was the empire of Napoleon I of France. It was the main power of most of continental Europe during the early 19th century.

 History 
Napoleon became Emperor of the French on 18 May 1804.  He was crowned Emperor on 2 December 1804. This ended the time of the French Consulate. He won early military victories in the War of the Third Coalition against Austria, Prussia, Russia, Portugal, and allied nations. The Treaty of Tilsit in July 1807 ended two years of bloodshed on the European continent.

The next wars, known as the Napoleonic Wars, grew France over much of Western Europe and into Poland. At its biggest in 1812, the French Empire had 130 départements, ruled over 90 million people, and had a large military in Germany, Italy, Spain, and the Duchy of Warsaw.Martyn Lyons, Napoleon Bonaparte and the Legacy of the French Revolution. p. 232  The introduction of the Napoleonic Code through the continent increased legal equality, made jury systems, and legalized divorce.Martyn Lyons p. 234-236 Napoleon placed relatives on the thrones of several European countries.  He gave many noble titles, most of which went away after the empire fell.

Napoleon abdicated in 11 April 1814.  The Empire was briefly brought back during the Hundred Days period in 1815 until Napoleon's defeat at the Battle of Waterloo.  It was followed by the Bourbon Restoration monarchy of the House of Bourbon.  Louis XVIII of France became the new ruler.

References

Category:1804 establishments in Europe
Category:1800s in France
France, Empire 1
Category:1815 disestablishments in Europe
Category:1810s in France