Was Napoleon a Hero or a Villain? Timeline Activity

The French Revolution - Napoleon: Hero or Villain?

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?”

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Template and Class Instructions

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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.

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Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 9-10

Difficulty Level 2 (Reinforcing / Developing)

Type of Assignment Individual or Group

Type of Activity: Timelines

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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.