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The First Empire (1804-1815)
The First Empire is the period when Napoleon I is in power. It begins on 18 May 1804, when Napoleon is named emperor.
Key points of the sheet
- Napoleon I fights several wars in Europe to expand his empire. He centralises power and controls the press and opponents.
- Weakened by his defeats, notably in Russia in 1812, the emperor abdicates in 1814. He abdicates for good on 7 July 1815, after the battle of Waterloo, and the monarchy is restored.
- Napoleon Bonaparte is the founder and the leader of the First Empire. He concentrates political, military and administrative power in his hands.
- Citizens keep equality before the law, guaranteed by the Civil Code (Code civil) of 1804. This code sets common rules for everyone, notably on family, property and contracts.
- Under the Empire, political freedoms are limited. Napoleon restores slavery in 1802, then abolishes the black slave trade in 1815.
- The Civil Code is a lasting legacy of the First Empire. It still guarantees equality before the law today and regulates life in society.
- The First Empire also creates institutions, such as the upper secondary school (lycée) and the baccalauréat. They still structure the French education system.
Words to know
- First Empire (1er Empire)
- It is the period when Napoleon I is in power, starting on 18 May 1804.
- Civil Code (Code civil)
- It is a text from 1804 that guarantees equality before the law and sets common rules for everyone.
- equality before the law (égalité devant la loi)
- Citizens keep it under the Empire, and the Civil Code still guarantees it today.
- abdicates (abdique)
- The emperor abdicates in 1814, then for good on 7 July 1815 after Waterloo.
- black slave trade (traite des noirs)
- Napoleon abolishes it in 1815, after restoring slavery in 1802.
- baccalauréat
- It is an institution created by the First Empire, like the lycée. It still structures the education system.
Test yourself: 3 questions
After which battle does Napoleon I abdicate for good?
In French, the language of the exam: Après quelle bataille Napoléon 1er abdique-t-il définitivement ?
The emperor abdicates for good on 7 July 1815, after the battle of Waterloo.
What does Napoleon do in 1802?
In French, the language of the exam: Que fait Napoléon en 1802 ?
Napoleon restores slavery in 1802. He becomes emperor in 1804 and abdicates in 1814.
Which institution is created under the First Empire?
In French, the language of the exam: Quelle institution est créée sous le 1er Empire ?
The First Empire creates the lycée and the baccalauréat. They still structure the education system.
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More in this topic (Political regimes since 1789)
- The Second Empire (1852-1870)
- The Consulate (Consulat) (1799-1804)
- The Provisional Government of the French Republic (1944-1946)
Source
Sheet “Le 1er Empire (1804-1815)” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.