The historical context is a brief overview of the important milestones in Napoleon’s life, showing the exact time Napoleon stayed in Brno in the context of the course of his life.
15.8.1769
Napoleon born in Corsica
28.10.1785
Graduates from the military academy in Paris
22.9.1792
France becomes a republic, monarchy overthrown
4.10.1795
Napoleon entrusted with the defence of the Convent against royalist rebels
13.12.1799
Napoleon appointed “first consul”
Napoleon becomes Emperor
Napoleon becomes French Emperor (1804 - 1814)
On 2 December 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte became the French emperor, Napoleon I. Although Pope Pius VII was present at the coronation ceremony, Napoleon put the imperial crown onto his head himself.
1804
2.12.
20.11.1805
Napoleon arrives in Brno
The Battle of Austerlitz
also known as the Battle of Three Emperors
Undoubtedly one of the most famous battles to take place in Moravia. It was fought near Austerlitz and the French army of Emperor Napoleon decisively defeated the armies of the Third Coalition (the armies of the Russian Tsar Alexander I and those of Emperor Francis I of Austria).
1805
2.12.
The Russian Campaign
The beginning of the end for Napoleon
On June 24, 1812, Napoleon and his army crossed the Neman River and advanced toward Moscow. The Battle of Borodino, the bloodiest of the campaign, took place on September 7, 1812. When Napoleon finally reached Moscow, the city had been abandoned and left without supplies. The coming winter and inadequate army supplies made Napoleon return. The journey back decimated Napoleon’s army; his adversaries seized the opportunity and created another anti-Napoleonic coalition.
1812
24.6.
Battle of Leipzig
Today known as the Battle of Nations
The largest and decisive battle of the Napoleonic wars was fought near Leipzig – altogether, over half a million soldiers from almost all the countries of Europe were involved in the conflict! The coalition armies defeated Napoleon’s army, as a result of which Napoleon was forced to abdicate. Napoleon was exiled to Elba where he was supposed to spend the rest of his life as the island’s sovereign. He was allowed to retain his title of emperor and granted a French pension.
1813
16-19.10.
4.5.1814
Napoleon transported to Elba
26.2.1815
Napoleon escapes from Elba
Napoleon back in Paris
Napoleon’s Hundred Days
Napoleon left Elba in February 1815 and returned from exile to Paris. Supported by the army and nation, he restored the monarchy in France. However, his return led to the external isolation of France and the powers formed a new anti-Napoleonic coalition. This conflict culminated in the Battle of Waterloo.
1815
20.3.
Battle of Waterloo
a global synonym for defeat
The battle was fought near the Belgian village of Waterloo where the French army of Emperor Napoleon I was destroyed by the allied armies of the Seventh Coalition of European rulers.
1815
18.6.
Napoleon abdicates
Napoleon abdicates for the second time after the crushing defeat in the Battle of Waterloo.
The Allies send him into exile on the island of Saint Helena where he dies on May 5, 1821. The monarchy was restored after Napoleon’s defeat at the Battle of Waterloo.
1815
22.6.
5.5.1821
Napoleon dies on Saint Helena
15.12.1840
Napoleon I buried at Les Invalides