Britain and the Napoleonic Wars
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how Napoleon's invasion of Russia and the involvement of Britain in the Napoleonic Wars led to his ultimate downfall.
Key learning points
- The Royal Navy defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
- Napoleon coerced countries like Russia into a 'continental system' which banned trade with Britain.
- Napoleon invaded Russia in 1812 but this invasion was a failure.
- Napoleon was defeated and sent into exile.
- Napoleon returned from exile but was defeated a second time at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.
Keywords
Navy - the navy refers to a country’s military force based at sea
Economy - the economy refers to the ways a country makes money and how much money it is making
Smuggling - smuggling involves trading goods in secret to avoid paying taxes
Abdication - abdication refers to a ruler giving up their power.
Exile - exile means being sent away from your home country as punishment
Common misconception
Napoleon was only exiled once.
Napoleon was exiled twice. The first time to Elba after his defeat in Russia. He escaped back to France and gained support from his old troops and took power once more. He was defeated at Waterloo and exiled for the final time to St Helena.
Teacher tip
This lesson focuses on cause and effect. Each event causes the next and it is important that students understand the chronologically significant events of Napoleon's later career.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of upsetting content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What were the ideals of the French Revolution that Napoleon was trying to spread?
Q2.Napoleon sold French land in America under the Louisiana purchase in 1803 for how much money?
Q3.Match the events with the years they occurred.
Q4.The alliance of the Third Coalition against Napoleon consisted of Austria, Russia and ...
Q5.What was the modern legal framework called, which replaced France's medieval feudal laws?
Q6.Put the following events in chronological order, starting with the earliest:
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which term means being sent away from your home country as punishment?
Q2.Which option best describes the Continental System?
Q3.Roughly how many soldiers did Napoleon lead into Russia?
Q4.France was defeated by Britain at the Battle of Trafalgar, along with which of their allies?
Q5.Put these events into chronological order, starting with the earliest:
Q6.Match the places listed below with their geographical locations:
To help you plan your 8 history lesson on: Britain and the Napoleonic Wars, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 history lesson on: Britain and the Napoleonic Wars, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 history lessons from the The French Revolution: How did Europe respond to the French Revolution? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.