Main > Biography > First Consul
During the time that Napoleon took over, France was in turmoil. Poverty and corruption were widespread. Napoleon worked with Emmanuel Sieyes to overthrow the Directory. Napoleon successfully took over in a coup d'État on 18 Brumaire (November 9, 1799). 
The Directory was replaced by a three-member Consulate, and Napoleon became First Consul. Napoleon reorganized his armies and restructured his defense. 
In May 1800, Napoleon led his famous march across the Alps. After bitter battles, Russia dropped out of the Second Coalition in 1799, and Austria surrendered. Great Britain was left alone and was weary of war. The Treaty of Amiens was signed between the British and French in 1802. The Second Coalition was destroyed. For the first and only time in Napoleon’s reign, France was at peace with the world. This is the brief biography.
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