What significant event did Napoleon Bonaparte lead to after overthrowing the French government?

After overthrowing the French government in the coup of 18 Brumaire in 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte established the French Empire. This marked a significant shift from the revolutionary government that had been in place, transitioning France from a period of republicanism and instability towards an autocratic regime. By declaring himself Emperor in 1804, Napoleon sought to consolidate power, stabilize the nation, and expand French influence across Europe.

The French Empire he established was characterized by a centralized administration, the establishment of the Napoleonic Code, and military expansion, which fundamentally transformed both French society and European geopolitics. The move from revolution to empire illustrates Napoleon's ambition to restore order and assert France as a dominant power in the wake of the chaos of the French Revolution.

In contrast, the concepts of the French Republic, the First Republic, and the Directory's Restoration do not accurately reflect the significant change initiated by Napoleon after his rise to power. While the French Republic encompasses the revolutionary ideals from which Napoleon emerged, it did not represent the same power structure or governance that Napoleon implemented as Emperor.