Teacher's Guide for CALLIOPE: Napoleon

Teacher guide prepared by: Gloria W. Lannom, a frequent contributor to Cobblestone publications.
Look at the painting called "Napoleon at St. Bernard" that illustrates the front cover of this issue. How is Napoleon shown? (as a brave, strong, determined, handsome young hero; a soldier on horseback in wintry weather, pointing the way with his right arm extended upward) You cannot see it but in the full painting, below the name Bonaparte, engraved in the rock in the lower left are the names of Hannibal and Karolus Magnus, two great generals. Why do their names appear here? (Napoleon wanted to link himself to earlier military heroes.)

The article "Emperor for Life," mentions two objects carried at the coronation that link Napoleon with two other historical figures. What were they? (On his head he wore a wreath of golden laurel leaves like the one worn by the Roman emperor Julius Caesar and he carried the scepter of Emperor Charlemagne.) What dramatic gesture did he make? (He picked up the crown and placed it on his own head instead of allowing the pope to perform this ceremony.) What was the message he conveyed? (He did not owe his crown to anyone but himself.)

"Rising in the Ranks" describes the steps of Napoleon's rise to power. Name the events in this period that could be called "lucky" for him. (The French took control of Corsica; his father changed sides and was able to have him educated in France; the French revolution of 1789 gave him opportunities to prove his skills as a commander.) In almost every paragraph of the article the author mentions personal characteristics that contributed to his success: name some of them. (He was smart, stubborn, ambitious, good in math, studious, brave in battle, and confident that he had a great destiny.)

What does the term "Reign of Terror" refer to? (the period from 1793 to 1794 when many counterrevolutionaries were executed) What means of execution was used? (the guillotine) Which king was executed during this time? (Louis XVI)

"Revamping the Government" describes important reforms introduced by Napoleon that advanced his drive for power. Fill in the blanks below.

In politics he promoted a constitution that named him ----- ------. (First Consul) and returned to the previous system of appointing local mayors and governors by the government in Paris instead of allowing ------ -- ----- ----. (voters to elect them)

The Continental System was intended to destroy Britain's economy by closing the -------- ------ -- --- -----. (European market to its trade)

In designing the educational system Napoleon focused on --------- and -------- schools. (secondary and military)

In an important religious agreement with Napoleon, the pope maintained control over the ------ (clergy) and the French government maintained control over -------- (property) and guaranteed the nation's religious -------. (freedom)

The Code Napoléon provided for the abolition of --------- (feudalism), guaranteed equality before the --- (law), and opened the economy to ------- ---------- (private enterprise). It also supported three other ideas. What were they? (strong government, father-dominated families, and conservative beliefs)

Important places in the life and death of Napoleon, all mentioned somewhere in this issue.
Where:

Was Napoleon born? (on the island of Corsica)

Did Napoleon go into exile? (on Elba)

Did Napoleon die? (on the island of St. Helena)

Did the 1804 coronation ceremony take place? (Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris)

Was the fort in Paris that was stormed on July 14, 1789, to get weapons? (The Bastille; today July 14 is Bastille Day, a national holiday )

Is Alexandria? (Egypt)

Is Aboukir Bay? (Egypt)

Is Waterloo? (Belgium)

Important characters in Napoleon's life who appear in this issue:
Identify the following:

Letizia (Napoleon's mother)

Josephine (Napoleon's first wife)

Paul Barras (a president who introduced Josephine and Napoleon)

Marie-Louise (Napoleon's second wife)

Napoleon-Francois-Joseph-Charles (their child and heir)

Rear Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson (Commander of the British fleet at the Battle of the Nile)

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Updated: 11/21/09 09:21 am
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