How Did Napoleon Bonaparte Rise To Power

Napoleon Bonaparte will remain in the heart of many French nationals as one of the greatest military leaders that the nation has had when it comes to warfare history. In 1799, Napoleon launched a series of wars, which historian call, “Napoleonic wars” in a bid to extend the territory of France in Europe. Many historians argue that the Napoleonic wars were a continuation of the earlier war under the tag, French revolution in 1789. The French revolution in itself had so many influences in Europe, especially with the armies who felt the greatest impact of the revolution. The revolution brought with it many changes, especially in the production of modern mass weapons with the conscription in place. The new improvements in weaponry made Napoleon seek hegemony in the entire Europe sparking his quest to expand and increase the revolutionary and territorial borders of France. Napoleon, Corsican aristocrat, who was a minor, rose to the position of emperor in France because of the revolution and his idea was to sweep the entire Europe with the reforms brought about by the revolution (Dwyer 32). The idea was to liberate the continent so that all citizens had a chance to take the helm of leadership and do away with the issue of kinship rule. Napoleon was a symbol of change, and although at some point, he comes out as a dictator, he was progressive and created rationalization of governance and all the social

Napoleon as an emperor told people that there would be public schools and that there they would teach things such as science, language arts, etc. This benefitted the people of France. Now everyone would receive education. Back then, those in the government did not want anyone uneducated to vote. Now they had a chance to voice their opinion. As stated in Document 8. I think this motivated Napoleon because again he wanted to win their support and love and wanted them to feel empowered as well as others who can vote and feel as they can too do the things they can. In the book, it stated that he won many wars and that also ties into being the son of the revolution because he did not let his country down and kept it strong. It kept the enemies away and kept the people happy. He used propaganda every time he won a war. He usually asked someone to paint a mural of him seeming superior to please the people of France. Napoleon is the son of the revolution to those he pleased. The motivation for this was as well to win over the people's support and love as well as to show them that he can protect them and be a good leader to them and him showing them that he can win many wars would make them feel safe around him, I

Napoleon used his power to make life better for the people and France. After the revolution, France needed a strong leader. Napoleon said, “The revolution is over. I am the Revolution” meaning that he is going to make a change in France. Napoleon followed enlightened despots such as Maria Theresa, John Locke and Voltaire. Napoleon just like Voltaire and Maria Theresa believed that everyone should be educated, so he opened free public schools and lycees. People

In June of 1793, “Little corporal” displayed his immediate support for the Jacobins, a far-left political movement and the most well-known and popular political club from the French Revolution (Biography). Eventually, the Jacobins fell from power and Robespierre. In 1795 the Directory took control of the country, a power it would it assume until 1799 All of this turmoil created opportunities for ambitious military leaders like Napoleon. Napoleon got imprisoned for 10 days on suspicion of treason after refusing an assignment to lead the Army of the West. After being imprisoned for ten days on suspicion of treason and refusing an assignment to lead the Army of the West, Napoleon was later assigned an occupation for the map department of the French war office. His military career was

Napoleons’ rise to emperor in France was indisputable mostly because of his overthrow of the Directory. His success’s as commander of the French army in Italy, only led to his aspiring status change to “Emperor” of France after overthrowing the Directory in November of 1799. His undying ambition for expansion of the empire he was creating however would be his undoing. Napoleons rule as emperor of France was quit spectacular actually and many admired and adored him as ruler. His ways were very appealing, and as a speaker he was very persuasive and admired by most of his people until his later years in his fall and demise. However, Napoleon did not seriously adhere to the ideals of the French Revolution, he did that of the Enlightenment but his undying ambition and character as “Emperor” undermined the true need of the French Revolution.

Napoleon Bonaparte was a young boy when his Corsican parents sent him off to a military school. He was short in stature, not very good looking, and overall was an awkward person. So how did such a man like Napoleon gain power? The answer is through the Military and later, through the people. Following Military school, Napoleon moved on to fight in France’s Military. His claim to fame started upon the defense of one of France’s southern ports. During the chaos of the French Revolution, people saw his actions as heroic. He rose to Commander and General of the Interior and defended France’s government, the Directory. Napoleon had a profound hatred for the chaos that ensued with Robespierre’s Reign of Terror. Napoleon mowed down anyone who dare attack the Directory. However, the corrupt Directory was overthrown by Napoleon and his Coup D’etat, or seize of power. He won with 99.8 percent of the people’s votes. Napoleon was dubbed “first consul for life” among 3 other men. This was declared the end of the French Revolution. The population that had lived in fear for years have rejoiced in the coming of a new leader who seemed to be perfect. However, the Napoleonic Code of 1804 gave a new framework of laws that gave people second thoughts. Many freedoms were restricted and total order was established. Napoleon crowned himself as Emperor in 1804. By fighting the chaos and total anarchy of France to gain popularity, Napoleon became favored by the people and rose to power. Throughout his rule, he became just as corrupt as the government that he had helped overthrow years

At the beginning of his reign, Napoleon entered France’s governmental system while France was in a huge debt from The Revolution, and the aftermath of King Louis IVI. But Napoleon quickly fixed this problem for France. “To help organize finances in the government, he created two new bodies: the Ministry of Finance and the Treasury. In one of the only wise moves the Directory (the previous governing body of France) ever made, the assignats began to be recalled and franc reintroduced. This was finished under Napoleon, and the affect was that people now had reliable money.” (Finances) With him being able to make such a huge difference in such little time, he was gaining attention and authority, from the people of France. After so many years of France going through debt, he fixed it in a short matter of time. This began to strengthen France again, making them more powerful, along with

Napoleon build roads/bridges, codified the laws, reduced the independence of the church, ensure that the people have their natural rights, freedom of religious worship, promote education, and enforce the law equally. Napoleon was not trying to gain power for himself, but for his country. He built roads and bridges so that trade could be easier with other countries. Over 20,000 miles of imperial and 12,000 miles of regional roads were completed.

He won over the people’s trust after being victorious at his first battle by driving the british out of Toulon. Napoleon was fair and set up a consulate, a three man governing board. Another way Napoleon shows heroic traits is by giving power to the people with the Plebiscites, allowing the people to have a fair voting system. As a military commander, Napoleon fought in the front lines with his men. He had strong leadership, good tactics, new plans every battle, and he payed his soldiers which was uncommon at the time.

Creating a religious establishment loyal to him and below the state, whereas in other countries, the church had equal standing as the state. While other European nations promoted careers based on bloodlines and social status, Napoleon employed the best commanders and leaders France had to offer, regardless of birth. Previously mentioned François Joseph Lefebvre and Joachim Murat were only two of the prominent members of the Napoleonic Empire’s common born ruling elite (Wright 41). Creating a ruling class and army based on merit was unheard of in the 19th century, Napoleon pioneered careers and promotions based on talent as other nations came to realize the disadvantage they had facing Napoleon. Napoleon was also unique in his goals, he did not want to maintain European balance of power, he wanted French hegemony over Europe (Bell 70), and was the one of the few who came close to creating a pan-European empire.

Impressed by his feats the five main military leaders asked Napoleon to invade England, instead he offered a plan to invade Egypt. After he got the okay to do so Napoleon took over the Egyptian army and its main leaders (www.history.com, www.thefreesource.com). In 1799 Napoleon overthrew the French Directory in an attempt to gain more power. After the defeat he was the leading political figure to most historians (www.history.com). As leader Napoleon improved not only the military of France but also the economy and other parts of the French empire. He helped reform the banks and education system as well as improving the arts and sciences. But his biggest contribution was the Napoleonic code, which was a big part of the legal system in France.(www.history.com, www.thefreesource.com, www.bbc.co.uk). In 1804 Napoleon declared himself emperor of France, which was meant he was the sole leader of this great empire (www.history.com). Napoleon won many battles and his reign stretched from the edge of the border of Spain to Italy and also some parts in Austria and Egypt. It was a strong and powerful empire at the time. The start of Napoleon’s downfall began when Russia broke agreements with France. So Napoleon brought about 600,000 troops into Russia to attack but the Russians were prepared and had the perfect strategy to defeat the French army. The Russians would retreat and keep the French marching

Napoleon Bonaparte was an undeniably strong leader of France, however he was not truthful to his inferiors who gave him his power. Napoleon believed he was the master of France and that he had complete power of the country. He looked down upon his peers and the other citizens of France. Bonaparte gained his popularity by standing with the common people during the revolutionary period of France but did not continue with the views he expressed during this period when he became Emperor. Napoleon Bonaparte had many views and beliefs that made him an absolute dictator of France including, making every decision himself, being above everyone in the class systems, and manipulating the citizens of France.

Napoleon was born in Corsica, Italy and was entered directly into the Military, at age ten. Napoleon's leadership, and role as emperor, was heavily based around the fact that all of his childhood was being trained in the military! Some people view this in a negative light (seeing other people just as a target, and appreciating human life.) Some people on the other hand, view this in a positive light (Being a good instructor, and knowing how to make the right moves with politics.) During the French revolution the citizens of France tried to create a republic, and when they failed continuously, Napoleon Bonaparte stepped up and became a strong leader in France. In 1799, the government started to grow more and more corrupt, and that's when Napoleon came into play. Napoleon was an

There were many things Napoleon considered a great triumph but there is one that is the greatest and this is called the Napoleonic Code. The Napoleonic Code did a lot of good for the French, the first good thing this code did for the French was it gave the country a set in stone, set of laws and it also eliminated any injustices. But this actually promoted order and authority over individual rights. An example of this is the freedom of speech, and press which was established during the revolution. This made it restricted under the code. Another good but bad thing was that the Napoleonic Code brought back slavery into the French colonies that were part of the Caribbean. There are many reasons Napoleon decided to change the current feudal system of laws and royal laws. Before the Napoleonic Code, there was no “Law” for the French to follow, and the royal and rich were very much treated better and had more privileges so during the revolution Napoleon decided that it would be the best to do away with the feudal laws. This was the set of laws he would use, and some of these laws are still in place, in france today.

Napoleon’s political ideas were efficient and worked well to rule a country; he even adapted his ideas to help France run more efficiently. The Napoleonic Code gave equality to all male citizens and he rehabilitated the Catholic Church for his people, despite his belief in religious freedom. He created a bureaucracy with subprefects, prefects, and mayors that ran France. All of these ideas helped France run smoothly.