Napoleon rapidly rose through the ranks of the military during the French Revolution (1789-1799). After seizing political power in France in a 1799 coup d'état, he crowned himself emperor in 1804.
Napoleon first seized political power in a coup d'etat in 1799. The coup resulted in the replacement of the extent governing body--a five-member Directory---by a three--person Consulate.Napoleon eventually abolished the Consulate and declared himself Emperor Napoleon I of France.
