1. Conquest of Italy (1796-1797): Napoleon's victories in the Italian Campaign brought France control over much of northern Italy and forced Austria to sign the Treaty of Campo Formio.
2. Egyptian Expedition (1798-1799): Napoleon led an expedition to Egypt to disrupt British trade routes to India. However, he faced setbacks and eventually returned to France.
3. Coup d'état (1799): Seizing power in a coup, Napoleon became the First Consul of France and consolidated his authority.
4. Wars with Coalitions (1798-1801): France fought against shifting alliances of European powers known as the Second and Third Coalitions. These wars ended with French victories and resulted in territorial gains.
5. Napoleonic Empire (1804-1814): Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of the French and established the Napoleonic Empire. His rule was marked by extensive reforms and modernization of the French state.
6. Continental System (1806): In an attempt to economically weaken Britain, Napoleon imposed the Continental System, which aimed to block British trade with mainland Europe.
7. Invasion of Russia (1812): Napoleon's disastrous invasion of Russia led to the destruction of his Grand Army and marked a significant turning point in the wars.
8. War of the Sixth Coalition (1813-1814): After his setbacks in Russia, Napoleon faced a renewed alliance of European powers. The war ended with Napoleon's defeat at the Battle of Leipzig.
9. Abdication and Elba (1814): Napoleon was forced to abdicate and was exiled to the island of Elba.
10. Return and the Hundred Days (1815): Napoleon escaped Elba and returned to France, leading to a brief period known as the Hundred Days. He was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo and was subsequently exiled to the remote island of Saint Helena, where he died in 1821.