Napoleon's rise to power can be explained through his military exploits. Napoleon defeated the Austrian army in a series of battles in Italy, ending in the treaty of Campo Formio and gaining France large amounts of territory and prestige. Napoleon also defeated the British army in Egypt at the Battle of the Pyramids. In 1799, he was part of a group that overthrew the French Directory. Napoleon's status as a commoner and war hero made him popular with the French masses.
Another aspect that made Napoleon popular was his ability to stabilize the French government; this had not been done since the fall of the king in 1789. Napoleonic reforms included banking and education reforms. The government also improved relations with the Catholic church. Napoleon consolidated his power by naming himself consul for life and then embarked on campaigns with other European nations. By restoring military prestige to France, Napoleon made himself a popular figure that the people could embrace as a symbol of nationalism.
