Napoleon Timeline

1769 Napoleon Bonaparte was born on the island of Corsica. The son of a noble.

Napoleon wins scholarship to the elite military training college in Paris

1785 At the age of 16, Napoleon became second lieutenant in the artillary.

1789 Napoleon became sympathetic to the Revolution.

1793 In the Battle of Toulon, Napoleon led a victorious attack on a Royalist fort and was then promoted to Brigadier General.

1795 Napoleon gained more attention when he put down a pro-royalist coup in Paris. He was promoted to Major General.

1796 - Napoleon married Josephine Beauharnais. - He was put in charge of the French army fighting the Austrians and Italians.

- Between 1796 and 1797, Napoleon re-organized the French army and inspired the dispirited soldiers. - They went on to win several great victories over the Austrians and Italians. - The Austrians were forced to sign a ceasefire at Leoben in 1797.

- Between 1798 and 1799 Napoleon's plans to attack the British went badly wrong. - His army was ravaged by plague and sickness, and Nelson's British Navy destroyed many of Napoleon's own ships. - Still, Napoleon seized Malta and had several victories in Egypt during the expedition.

August 1799 - Napoleon returned to Paris after hearing of the military crisis facing France. November 11th, 1799 - Napoleon seized control of France in the 'coup d'etat' - Following the Coup, a new constitution was introduced, and Napoleon was made First Consul of France.

December 2nd, 1804 - In the presence of the Pope, Napoleon crowned himself Emperor.