French Revolution: Timeline, Causes & Dates | HISTORY
The French Revolution was a watershed event in world history that began in 1789 and ended in the late 1790s with the ascent of Napoleon ...
first consul
On November 9, 1799, as frustration with their leadership reached a fever pitch, Napoleon Bonaparte staged a coup d’état, abolishing the Directory and appointing himself France’s “ <anchor>first consul</anchor>.” The event marked the end of the French Revolution and the beginning of the Napoleonic era, during which France would come to dominate much of continental Europe.
Napoleon crowned emperor | December 2, 1804 | HISTORY
Napoleon crowned emperor \| December 2, 1804 \| HISTORY

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# Napoleon crowned emperor

![](https://www.history.com/editorial/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.editorial.aetnd.com%2Fhistory-article-default.desktop.jpg&w=3840&q=75)![](https://www.history.com/editorial/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.editorial.aetnd.com%2Fhistory-article-default.desktop.jpg&w=3840&q=75)

In Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, [Napoleon Bonaparte](/topics/napoleon) is crowned Napoleon I, the first Frenchman to hold the title of emperor in a thousand years. Pope Pius VII handed Napoleon the crown that the 35-year-old conqueror of Europe placed on his own head.

Napoleon's Bloodless Coup

The [Corsican-born Napoleon](https://www.history.com/news/hitler-napoleon-stalin-despots-countries), one of the greatest military strategists in history, rapidly rose in the ranks of the French Revolutionary Army during the late 1790s. By 1799, France was at war with most of Europe, and Napoleon returned home from his Egyptian campaign to take over the reigns of the French government and save his nation from collapse. After becoming first consul in February 1800, he reorganized his armies and defeated Austria. In 1802, he established the Napoleonic Code, a new system of French law, and in 1804 he established the French empire. By 1807, Napoleon’s empire stretched from the River Elbe in the north, down through Italy in the south, and from the Pyrenees to the Dalmatian coast.

Beginning in 1812, Napoleon began to encounter the first significant defeats of his military career, suffering through a [disastrous invasion of Russia](https://www.history.com/news/napoleons-disastrous-invasion-of-russia), losing Spain to the Duke of Wellington in the Peninsula War, and enduring total defeat against an allied force by 1814. Exiled to the island of Elba, he escaped to France in early 1815 and raised a new Grand Army that enjoyed temporary success before its crushing defeat at Waterloo against an allied force under Wellington on June 18, 1815.

Napoleon was subsequently [exiled to the island of Saint Helena](https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/napoleon-exiled-to-elba) off the coast of Africa, where he lived under house arrest with a few followers. In May 1821, [he died](https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/napoleon-dies-in-exile), most likely of stomach cancer. He was only 51 years old. In 1840, his body was returned to Paris, and a magnificent funeral was held. Napoleon’s body was conveyed through the Arc de Triomphe and entombed under the dome of the Invalides.

[![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)](/news/napoleon-josephine-bonaparte-love-story-marriage-divorce)

[**Napoleon and Joséphine: Their Tumultuous Love Story** \
As their letters show, Napoleon was love‑struck. Joséphine? Not so much. Yet even with affairs on both sides, a deep attachment grew—and endured.\
\
Read more](/news/napoleon-josephine-bonaparte-love-story-marriage-divorce)

[![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)](/topics/european-history/napoleons-strategic-genius-video)

[**Napoleon’s Strategic Genius** \
Napoleon’s unique genius for strategy allows him to outmaneuver Russian and Austrian forces marching across Europe to confront his troops.\
\
Watch now](/topics/european-history/napoleons-strategic-genius-video)

[![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)](/news/napoleon-bonaparte-downfall-reasons-personality-traits)

[**The Personality Traits that Led to Napoleon Bonaparte’s Epic Downfall** \
Sex. Money. Class. You name the inferiority complex, and this thin‑skinned and deeply insecure French leader had it.\
\
Read more](/news/napoleon-bonaparte-downfall-reasons-personality-traits)

By: [History.com Editors](/author/history)

[HISTORY.com](http://history.com/) works with a wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content. All articles are regularly reviewed and updated by the HISTORY.com team. Articles with the “HISTORY.com Editors” byline have been written or edited by the HISTORY.com editors, including [Amanda Onion](https://www.history.com/author/amanda-onion), [Missy Sullivan](https://www.history.com/author/missy-sullivan), [Matt Mullen](https://www.history.com/author/matt-mullen) and Christian Zapata.

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## Citation Information

Article TitleNapoleon crowned emperor

Author[History.com Editors](/author/history)

Website NameHISTORY

URL[https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/napoleon-crowned-emperor](https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/napoleon-crowned-emperor)

Date AccessedSeptember 13, 2024

PublisherA&E Television Networks

Last UpdatedNovember 30, 2023

Original Published DateMarch 4, 2010

## Fact Check

We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, [click here](mailto:support@history.zendesk.com?subject=Fact%20Check%20-%20Napoleon%20crowned%20emperor&body=%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%0AReferring%20URL%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.history.com%2Fthis-day-in-history%2Fnapoleon-crowned-emperor%0A%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E2%80%94) to contact us! HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate.

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