Matt said 1/8

In social studies world history AP class yesterday, we all learned about The Directory, the war with Prussia and Austria, and Napoleon Bonaparte.

The Directory was the government that followed Robespierre's Republic, which unfortunately turned into a dictatorship. The Directory was made up of 5 consuls(unsure of spelling?), each who has equal power to the next. The reason it's made up of 5 people is so each person could check the next so not one becomes to powerful, and to make decisions and come to agreements on ideas to benefit France. The only problem is that the consuls would take bribes, they couldn't agree with one another, and they were constantly fighting for power.

As for the war between France and its neighboring absolute countries, it was a battle that took place all throughout Europe, N. Africa, and in some parts of the middle east. Robespierre was the one who started this whole mess, declaring war before he was executed. The greatest general, who won many battles, and killed many enemies, was ol' Napoleon Bonaparte.

Napoleon Bonaparte was very pompous and full of himself. Another fun fact is that Napoleon was the first ruler to not be called by his last name, because, well say Bonaparte 5 times fast, and you'll understand what i mean. Every decision he made was to gain popularity and fame, even though some of those decisions helped France. Napoleon went to Egypt in 1798, stole some things like mummies and raided some tombs, but he ALSO discovered the Rosetta Stone, a stone that was used to translate other reservations. He returned to France in 1799, and all the citizens praised him and were in love with him. The citizens told Napoleon that their government was in shambles and had to go. So he marched into the capital building and told the Directory leader that he will become the leader of the directory, and of the consuls. Even though he became ruler, he was still a general in the war. During his reign as leader, he had many portraits drawn for him, and by the most influential artist of that time period Geen'Jaas David, (painted the Tennis Court Oath picture). In 1802, a new constitution was added, and Napolean was named Consul for life. In 1804 he was declared emperor of France. When he was declared Emperor (all catholic emperors are crowned by Pope), he made the Pope come to France in Notre Dame Cathedral. But on that day, instead of the Pope allowing him to put the crown on his head, he takes it out of the Popes hands, places it on his own head, basically declaring he is stronger than the church, and it is NOT part of the government anymore, Napoleon has such guts doing that to the most powerful man in the world. While emperor, he conquers Italy, some German states, and Spain.

THE NEXT BLOGGER WILL BE...michelle