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Napoleon’s major battles
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Napoleon’s major battles

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Written by
Kenny Chmielewski
Kenny is an associate cartographer at Britannica and has worked there since 2008. When not making maps and infographics for Britannica, he enjoys photographing the beautiful city of Chicago.
Kenny Chmielewski,
Michael Ray
Michael Ray is an assistant managing editor who has worked at Britannica since 2003. In addition to leading the Geography and History team, he oversees coverage of European history and military affairs....
Michael Ray•All
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Article History

From the Siege of Toulon (August 28–December 19, 1793) to the Battle of Waterloo (June 18, 1815), Napoleon shaped France’s military fortunes for a generation. As a young officer in the French Revolutionary wars, Napoleon demonstrated his talents on the battlefield, but he was almost undone by the Thermidorian Reaction and the fall of his ally Maximilien Robespierre. Napoleon’s military and political influence increased under the Directory, a process that culminated in the Coup of 18–19 Brumaire. Napoleon abolished the Directory, established the Consulate, and seized dictatorial powers. At that point the wars of the French Revolution became the Napoleonic Wars; Napoleon’s ambitions would be realized with the creation of the French Empire.

Michael Ray Kenny Chmielewski