Toulon and Italy made the reputation; Brumaire converted it into power.
An interactive history • 1789—1815
Napoleon’s Europe
01 / 12 chapters
Chapter 01 • The world before Napoleon
A Revolution begins
1789Lieutenant
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FranceFrench Empire — directly ruled
French Empire — directClient state — not FranceAlly — not FranceCoalition enemyNeutral
Read the whole arc
From artillery officer to emperor—and back to a single island
The map separates direct French administration from allied and client states. That distinction matters: Napoleon’s greatest reach was a system of control, family monarchies, coerced alliances and occupation—not one continuous France.
The Civil Code, departments and central administration travelled with the armies.
Spain drained the empire; Russia broke the army; Leipzig united its enemies.