The Rise and Fall of Napoleon Bonaparte, 1769-1821

OLLI of Greater Birmingham presents The Rise and Fall of Napoleon Bonaparte with Joanne Bruer, retired instructor, Jacksonville State University.  May 10: Early life. Napoleon and the French Revolution. Marriage to Josephine de Beauharnais; early military opportunities and victories; first consul of France.  May 17: Introduction of Napoleon’s reforms in France, the French empire under Napoleon, Wars with Austria, Great Britain, etc.  Also growth of European nationalism and Napoleon crowned emperor.  May 24: Divorce and remarriage, the French version of Russia and the beginning of the downfall of Napoleonic France.  May 31:  Abdication and exile to Elba, the Hundred Days, the Battle of Warterloo, and his last days.