November 3rd Review of Napoleon Socratic Seminar Worksheets & Unit 4 Review Sheet Work Time!

Review:

• Crossroads: A Meeting of Nations (Napoleon section: “The Rise of Napoleon” through “Napoleon’s Downfall”)

• Socratic Seminar Worksheet: Napoleon 

 

ANSWER KEY - Update your sheets! 

Section Reference: Chapter on Napoleon Bonaparte (typically pp. 196–213)

1. Strengths & Qualities

• Brilliant military strategist; used surprise attacks, rapid movement, and flexible battle plans.

• Excellent motivator—his soldiers were loyal and admired his courage.

• Intelligent, disciplined, and organized.

• Rose quickly through merit rather than birth—embodied revolutionary ideals of ability over nobility.
  (Crossroads, pp. 200–202)

2. Weaknesses

• Overconfidence and ambition led him to underestimate enemies (e.g., Russia).

• Authoritarian tendencies—censored the press, limited women’s rights.

• Desire for total control alienated allies and created resistance.

• Couldn’t accept defeat—kept returning to power.
  (Crossroads, pp. 208–210)

3. Greatest Contributions

• Napoleonic Code: modernized laws based on equality before the law and merit.

• Reorganized education and administration.

• Spread ideas of the French Revolution (liberty, equality, fraternity) across Europe.

• Inspired national movements in other countries.
  (Crossroads, pp. 205–207)

4. What Could He Have Changed?

• Could have consolidated power within France instead of constant wars.

• Should not have invaded Russia (1812)—major turning point in his downfall.

• Could have maintained alliances through diplomacy instead of aggression.

• Needed to recognize limits of empire and balance ambition with stability.
  (Crossroads, pp. 209–211)

Unit 4 - Review Sheet Work Time!!