| 1796 |
Napoleon gets command of the French Army of Italy |
| 1798 |
Battle of the Nile: the British annihilate Napoleon's fleet |
| November 10, 1799 |
Napoleon helps to overthrow Directory's rule, establishing a strong executive in France |
| 1802 |
He becomes first consul for life; peace is made with Austria and Britain |
| March 21, 1804 |
Civil Code (called Code Napoléon in 1807) |
| December 2, 1804 |
Napoleon crowns himself emperor of the French |
| October 1805 |
French forces occupy Vienna |
| October 21, 1805 |
Battle of Trafalgar: French and Spanish fleets are defeated by the British |
| December 1805 |
Battle of Austerlitz: Napoleon defeats Russo-Austrian forces |
| 1806 |
War against Prussia and Russia |
| October 1806 |
Napoleon defeats Prussians at Jena, and French forces occupy Berlin |
| June 1807 |
French victory over Russians at Friedland |
| 1808-1813 |
Peninsular War: Spaniards, aided by the British, fight against French occupation |
| September 14, 1812 |
Grand Army reaches Moscow |
| October-December 1812 |
Grand Army retreats from Russia |
| October 1813 |
Allied forces defeat Napoleon at Leipzig |
| 1814 |
Paris is captured, and Napoleon is exiled to Elba |
| March 20, 1815 |
Escaping, Napoleon enters Paris and begins "hundred days" rule |
| June 1815 |
Defeated at Waterloo, Napoleon is exiled to Saint Helena |
