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French Empire

Empire Français
1804–1814
1815
Anthem: Chant du Départ
"Song of the Departure"
The First French Empire at its greatest extent in 1812.  *      French Empire *      Satellite states
The First French Empire at its greatest extent in 1812.
Capital Paris
Common languages French
Religion
Roman Catholicism
Government Monarchy
Emperor  
• 1804–1814/1815
Napoleon I
• 1815
Napoleon II
Legislature Parliament
Senate
Corps législatif
Historical era Napoleonic Wars
• Constitution adopted
18 May 1804
• Coronation of Napoleon I
2 December 1804
• Treaty of Tilsit
7 July 1807
24 June 1812
• Treaty of Fontainebleau
11 April 1814
20 March – 7 July 1815
Area
1812 2,100,000 km2 (810,000 sq mi)
Population
• 1812
44000000
Currency French Franc
ISO 3166 code FR
Preceded by
Succeeded by
French First Republic
Holy Roman Empire
Kingdom of Holland
Ligurian Republic
Kingdom of Spain
Kingdom of France
United Kingdom of the Netherlands
Neutral Moresnet
Kingdom of Sardinia
Austrian Empire
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
Grand Duchy of Tuscany
Kingdom of Spain
Today part of  Andorra
 Austria
 Belgium
 Croatia
 France
 Germany
 Italy
 Lithuania
 Luxembourg
 Monaco
 Poland
 Netherlands
 Slovenia
 Spain
 Switzerland
 Vatican City  Montenegro

The First French Empire, also known as the Greater French Empire or Napoleonic Empire, was the empire of Napoleon I of France. It was the main power of most of continental Europe during the early 19th century.

Napoleon became Emperor of the French on 18 May 1804. He was crowned Emperor on 2 December 1804. This ended the time of the French Consulate. He won early military victories in the War of the Third Coalition against Austria, Prussia, Russia, Portugal, and allied nations. The Treaty of Tilsit in July 1807 ended two years of bloodshed on the European continent.

The next wars, known as the Napoleonic Wars, grew France over much of Western Europe and into Poland. At its biggest in 1812, the French Empire had 130 départements, ruled over 44 million people, and had a large military in Germany, Italy, Spain, and the Duchy of Warsaw. The introduction of the Napoleonic Code through the continent increased legal equality, made jury systems, and legalized divorce. Napoleon placed relatives on the thrones of several European countries. He gave many noble titles, most of which went away after the empire fell.

Napoleon abdicated in 11 April 1814. The Empire was briefly brought back during the Hundred Days period in 1815 until Napoleon's defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. It was followed by the Bourbon Restoration monarchy of the House of Bourbon. Louis XVIII of France became the new ruler.


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Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Primer Imperio francés para niños

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