Everyone seems to be on Facebook, so why not make Napoleon part of that trend? Create a Facebook profile that gives the reader insight into Napoleon's life, accomplishments and personality. Include photos, biographical information, likes and friend lists. Students can also add in wall posts and status updates from key dates in French history.
Students can practice research and writing skills by creating a newspaper of the life and times of Napoleon. Use real newspaper pages as inspiration for various newspaper sections and articles such as world and local news, lifestyle, letters to the editor, sports, obituaries, puzzles and more. Students can create layouts electronically or by hand depending on the technology available.
One of Napoleon's accomplishments was a set of written laws that governed France. Have students sit down with copies of the Napoleonic Code and familiar American laws such as the Constitution or the Bill of Rights for a shorter activity. Students can create a Venn diagram or other organizer to compare and contrast the rights and responsibilities expected of French citizens during Napoleon's reign as opposed to Americans of yesterday and/or today.
Split the class into two teams to stage a debate about Napoleon's impact on the world. Have students use library databases, textbooks, and other source materials to prepare an argument they can defend with specific details and facts. Then have students engage in the debate of the pros and cons. At the end, you can have students vote on whether they'd keep Napoleon or banish him.
After Napoleon was banished from Europe for good, the rest of Europe's leaders sat down in Austria to carve up France's empire. Re-create this event by splitting students into delegations representing the various countries in attendance. Give each a map of Europe and a list of options for redrawing borders and boundaries. Have groups discuss and defend their positions and negotiate compromises to create the balance of power the real congress was designed to do.