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https://www.storyboardthat.com/lesson-plans/french-revolution/napoleon
Lesson Plan Overview
Template and Class Instructions
Student Rubric
Lesson Plan Overview
Lesson Plan 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
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
Student Rubric
Student Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
Timeline
Create a timeline of important events and people, and explain their significance. Make sure the dates are correct, and the Photos for Class pictures are historically accurate or significant.
| 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. |
Lesson Plan 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
Student Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
Timeline
Create a timeline of important events and people, and explain their significance. Make sure the dates are correct, and the Photos for Class pictures are historically accurate or significant.
| 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. |
How Tos about Was Napoleon a Hero or a Villain?
1
Organize a classroom debate on Napoleon’s legacy
Encourage critical thinking by dividing students into two groups: one defending Napoleon as a hero, the other as a villain. Have each group use timeline evidence and research to build arguments. This interactive format increases engagement and helps students practice persuasive skills.
2
Assign students to research primary sources about Napoleon
Direct students to locate and analyze primary sources (letters, proclamations, paintings) related to Napoleon’s rule. This helps them develop historical inquiry skills and gain firsthand perspectives on controversial events.
3
Guide students to create a visual pros and cons chart
Ask students to list and illustrate the positive and negative impacts of Napoleon’s policies. Visual organization supports comprehension and allows for easy comparison of his actions.
4
Facilitate student reflection through a quick write
Invite students to write a brief response to the question: “How might history view Napoleon differently if he had not invaded Russia?” This encourages deeper analysis and connects historical decisions to outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions about Was Napoleon a Hero or a Villain?
What are the key events to include in a Napoleon hero vs villain timeline for students?
Key events to include are: Napoleon defending the National Convention (1795), seizing power (1802), centralizing authority (1803), the Battle of Trafalgar (1805), the empire at its largest (1807), mistakes in Spain and Britain (1808), the invasion of Russia (1812), escape from Elba (1815), and the Battle of Waterloo (1815). Highlight domestic policies, impacts on slavery and women, and conflicts with other nations.
How do you create a color-coded timeline showing if Napoleon was a hero or villain?
To create a color-coded timeline, list major events from Napoleon’s life and use blue for heroic actions, red for villainous ones, and white for mixed or debated actions in the title boxes. Briefly describe each event and its impact, helping students visually assess Napoleon’s complex legacy.
What were Napoleon’s domestic policies and how did they impact France?
Napoleon’s domestic policies included centralizing government power, introducing the Napoleonic Code, reforming education, and stabilizing the economy. These actions modernized France but also limited freedoms and reinforced certain inequalities, making his impact both positive and controversial.
Why do historians debate if Napoleon was a hero or a villain?
Historians debate Napoleon’s legacy because his actions brought both progress and destruction. He modernized France but also waged costly wars and curtailed freedoms. His motivations and outcomes are complex, leading to differing opinions on whether he was ultimately a hero or villain.
How can students use their Napoleon timeline to write a persuasive essay?
Students can use their timeline as an outline, selecting key events and color-coded judgments to support their argument. By analyzing each event’s impact, they can craft a persuasive essay on whether Napoleon’s actions were more heroic or villainous, using evidence from their research.
More Storyboard That Activities
French Revolution
Image Attributions
- Europe 1936 • uair01 • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
Testimonials
“I'm doing a Napoleon timeline and I'm having [students] determine whether or not Napoleon was a good guy or a bad guy or somewhere in between.”–History and Special Ed Teacher
“Students get to be creative with Storyboard That and there's so many visuals for them to pick from... It makes it really accessible for all students in the class.”–Third Grade Teacher
https://www.storyboardthat.com/lesson-plans/french-revolution/napoleon
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© 2026 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
