GCU Presents Forum on Links between Napoleon and America

Just what does the famed French military leader Napoleon Bonaparte have to do with peace—or the United States? Join Georgian Court University’s Department of History, Geography, and Political Science, in conjunction with GCU’s chapter of Phi Alpha Theta—the National History Honor Society—and Clionaes History Club for a free forum—Napoleon and America: The Napoleonic Wars, the War of 1812 & the U.S. Peace Movement—on Tuesday, March 19, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. in the Little Theatre on GCU’s Lakewood campus.

The forum will explore the trans-Atlantic links between the Napoleonic Wars, the War of 1812, and the creation of the first peace societies in America. The French Revolution (1789–1799), which set these events into motion, sparked two decades of continuous warfare, revolution, and counterrevolution throughout Europe and the world (1792–1815). Both the Napoleonic Wars (1799–1815) and War of 1812 (1812–1815) were part of this global upheaval. In 1812, Napoleon invaded Russia, the United States declared war on Great Britain, and antiwar activists moved to create peace organizations.

Scott H. Bennett, Ph.D., GCU professor of history; Robin Gower, J.D., Ph.D., GCU associate professor of history; and Claribel Young, Ph.D., GCU professor of history, will give short talks on the impact of the French Revolution on America, the Napoleonic Wars, the War of 1812, and the U.S. peace movement. A discussion and questions will follow.

“The French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars marked a turning point in modern world history and both had a major impact on America,” notes Dr. Bennett. “This bicentennial forum will explore this impact and trans-Atlantic connections in the 19th century.”

Admission is free, but reservations are required by contacting GCU’s Office of Conferences and Special Events at 732.987.2263 or specialevents@georgian.edu.