Main > Activities > For Students
Welcome students! This section of the site will help you
to focus on important aspects of Napoleon and understand the events in
his life better.
How to use this page: First read a
section in the biography (the brief overview is fine,) then go on to the
corresponding parts in this section. You will be presented with some questions
that will help you understand the section better. I didn't include the
answers, because they're pretty easy to figure out and it will help you
to think. If you are really lost at the answer to a question, please contact
us and I will e-mail you back the answer.
There are also questions for the gallery and
quotes section.
Once you're done, I recommend you take the online quiz in the games
section to test yourself. Good luck!
Questions:
[Early Years] [Corporal ] [First
Consul] [Fragile Empire ] [Downfall]
[Second Try]
[Gallery] [Quotes]
Biography: Early Years Questions
When Napoleon went to military school, his collegues made fun of his height. How did this effect his ambitions?Biography: Corporal Questions
After Napoleon joined the army, he paid several long visits to Corsica. Why?Napoleon and his family fled from Corsica when the mayor declared them outlaws. How did this effect Napoleon? Was he bitter?
After all the teasing in school, how do you think Napoleon felt after his victory at Toulon?
How did the victories in Italy and Austria add to his pride and ambitions?
Napoleon turned down the offer to attack Britain. Why?
Napoleon changed his name, so it seemed French. Why? What could he be trying to accomplish with this?
When Napoleon was unable to take Acre, he made up an excuse. Wouldn't it have been easier to tell the truth? How would his reputation be different if he admitted this defeat? What about his ambitions?
Biography: First Consul Questions
Why was Napoleon the perfect leader for the coup?Napoleon's army followed his orders and attacked the Assembly of 500. Why are they so loyal? (hint: consider all of the battles they had been through)
The French population approved of Napoleon's new constitution. Why?
Why did Napoleon grant amnesty to political enemies?
Biography: Fragile Empire Questions
France was at peace with the world for only 1 year during Napoleon's reign. Why did Napoleon keep waging wars? What was he trying to accomplish?Why did the French approve of the Civil Code even though it limited the rights they obtained during the French Revolution? Is this also why they made Napoleon consul for life and later emperor?
Why did Napoleon change the anthem and slogan? What did the French Revolution represent that he didn't?
Why was the Continental System formed? Napoleon was trying to conquer Britain but why was an attack impossible?
Why did Napoleon put his family on the thrones of Europe? Was it love for his family or his empire? What happened every time he put one of his family on a throne of Europe?
Napoleon divorced Josephine, because she couldn't produce a son. Why did he want a son so much? Why didn't he divorce her earlier?
What would have happened if Napoleon had been satisfied with what he had already? If Napoleon had stopped conquest and made his empire prosperous, would the conquered nations have revolted?
Biography: Downfall Questions
Why did the Continental System backfire? What was going on in Britain during this time that allowed them to make goods faster and cheaper than anyone else?Napoleon blamed Alexander I for the faliure. Why?
Why did the Russians continue to retreat? Why did they burn their own city of Moscow after they left?
Napoleon always fed his army off of the land he conquered. Why wouldn't this strategy work for the Russian Campaign?
Even though an entire generation of French men were killed off, children and veterans enlisted in the army to find for Napoleon. Why? What belief was that was started during the French Revolution was responsible?
The Allies of the Quadrauple Alliance did well against Napoleon. Why? Was it because he was weakened or something else? (hint: what war was fought against France before Napoleon?)
Why were the Allies so generous toward Napoleon? Who was Metternich and what was he saying during the time?
Biography: Second Try Questions
Napoleon could have stayed on Elba and lived in luxury. Why did he escape? Why was he not content? (hint: consider his ambitions)The French people didn't like the Bourbons as much as they loved Napoleon. Why? How did Napoleon come to power? How did the Bourbons get restored to power?
Why did Napoleon have to write a new constitution to gain the people's support?
Why were the Allies not so merciful with Napoleon the second time?
Gallery Questions
Look at the paintings of Napoleon. Why do they all make Napoleon look bold and dashing? Do you think Napoleon would have liked a bad painting of himself?Quotes Questions
Read the quote about using all your forces on one point. Why did you think Napoleon said that? Was it because he used it himself in battle to cut the enemy in half and obliterate them? General Nelson used the same tactic to destroy the French fleet near Egypt. Do you think that's when Napoleon said it?There are two quotes praising artilleries in the war section. Why do you think Napoleon said this? Did it have anything to do with Toulon and his days commanding the artillery platoon?
If you look at the quotes on greatness, you'll notice that Napoleon is always talking about himself. Why? When do you think he said them? Was it during the height of his empire or the Hundred Days? Why does he talk like that? Is he conceited? What about his pride and ambition?