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LINK TO... NAPOLEON |
  Napoleon Bonaparte emerged during the chaos of the Reign of Terror to bring order to France first as one of a Directory, a group of five men with the responsibility of restoring French government to the ideals of the First Republic. Napoleon soon seized power and established a new French Empire, crowning himself Emperor in a famous ceremony at Notre Dame Cathedral in 1803. He established the legitimacy of his government by codifying French law (the Napoleonic code), and by use of a referendum, a vote by the people to verify his popular decisions. The influence of "strong man rule" in France is evident in the Napoleonic era. Napoleon remained in power as long as the French Army was victorious in its quest to conquer large parts of Europe. In 1814, combined European armies defeated Napoleon at Waterloo, beginning the demise of the Empire. Napoleon was eventually exiled, and again, the "swing effect" is evident, with a clash between supporters of a return to the monarchy and the republicans, who wanted to restore the First Republic. The monarchists won the struggle when the throne was restored to the Bourbon family. Louis XVIII (Louis XVI's brother) was replaced by Charles X in 1830, amidst a struggle between monarchists and republicans that results in the Revolution of 1830. The crown went to a less objectionable cousin, Louis Philippe, but at his death in 1848, the republicans were successful in doing away with the monarchy one last time in the Revolution of 1848. The Second Republic was founded based on the principles of the French Revolution of 1789, but it was destined for a short life. Another "strong man" was waiting in the wings. Find lots of links to Napoleon Bonaparte... 
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