CLEP Western Civ II

Answer: B - The purpose of Napoleon's Egyptian campaign was to weaken Britain. Napoleon had successfully defeated Austria in his campaign in Italy and wanted to draw the British further into the war. He decided to threaten India by way of Egypt instead of attacking Britain directly. Along the way, he established Malta as a French colony. Prolonging the war also kept him employed, and the reputation he built helped with his eventual takeover of France. The Egyptian campaign itself changed little, and Napoleon abandoned his army to return to France and join the Consulate. The most significant event of the Egyptian campaign waste discovery of the Rosetta Stone, which provided the key to reading and translating ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics.