Activity Overview
The impact of Napoleon Bonaparte on the development of France has been the subject of a vast quantities of historical research. This research reveals Napoleon as an individual with complex motivations and personal struggles. He holds a place of honor in French history, but were his actions ultimately helpful or harmful?
In order to analyze his actions, students will create a timeline of Napoleon’s life that tries to answer the question: “Was Napoleon a Hero or a Villain?” The timeline must include:
- Napoleon’s domestic policies
- How he dealt with the French Revolution
- Slavery
- Women
- Napoleon’s efforts to create an empire
- Conflicts with Britain
- Conflicts with Spain
- Invasion of Russia
The timeline should include 8-10 cells, but adjust accordingly for your needs. Use a color-coding system in the title text boxes to indicate whether you think Napoleon is being heroic (Blue), villainous (Red) or a combination of both (White).
Suggested Events for a Napoleon Timeline
- 1795 - Napoleon defends the National Convention
- 1802 - Napoleon seizes power
- 1803 - Napoleon centralizes power
- 1805 - Battle of Trafalgar
- 1807 - The Empire at its Largest
- 1808 - Mistakes in Spain and Britain
- 1812 - Napoleon Invades Russia
- 1815 - Escape from Elba
- 1815 - Battle of Waterloo
Extended Activity
The storyboards that students just created can be used as the base for a persuasive essay. Students could also research the tomb of Napoleon. Students should use this research to address the question: “Why did the French people build a tomb of this scope to Napoleon?”
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a timeline of Napoleon's life and identify whether or not his actions make him a hero or a villain.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Add additional cells as needed.
- Identify and describe several of Napoleon's policies and efforts to create an empire.
- Color code the title boxes: heroic (blue), villainous (red), or both (white).
- Create illustrations using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Events and Dates | The events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. The dates provided are correct. | Most of the events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. Most of the dates provided are correct. | Some of the events chosen for the timeline are significant. There may be missing events, or events that are irrelevant. Too many dates may be incorrect. |
| Explanations/Descriptions | The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are accurate and provide insight into the significance of the events. | The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are mostly accurate and attempt to provide insight into the significance of the events. | There are several glaring inaccuracies in the explanations or descriptions of the events. There may be little or no insight int the significance of the events, or the information provided may be too limited or missing. |
| English Conventions | There are 0-2 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. | There are 3-4 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. | There are 5 or more mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. |
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