How Is Napoleon Bonaparte A Hero Or Villain

With all the glory and the splendour that some countries may have experienced, never has history seen how only only one man, Napoleon, brought up his country France from its most tormented status, to the very pinnacle of its height in just a few years time. He was a military hero who won splendid land-based battles, which allowed him to dominate most of the European continent. He was a man with ambition, great self-control and calculation, a great strategist, a genius; whatever it was, he was simply the best. But, even though how great this person was, something about how he governed France still floats among people 's minds. Did he abuse his power? Did Napoleon defeat the purpose of the ideals of the French Revolution? After all of his success in his military campaigns, did he gratify the people 's needs regarding their ideals on the French Revolution? This is one of the many controversies that we have to deal with when studying Napoleon and the French Revolution. In this essay, I will discuss my opinion on whether or not was he a destroyer of the ideals 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

Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) was undeniably profound in helping to restore order to France following the revolution, the chaotic Jacobin reign of terror, and the weak directory. Through his leadership, France was able to achieve a much more balanced and powerful state, resemblant of the France of previous great rulers, such as Louis XIV. Napoleon used his absolute authority to align France with his his vision, which was one of glory and greatness for both himself and his country. Through many consider him to be a militaristic megalomaniac, Napoleon had a deep interest in Voltairean enlightened despotism and a desire to make France great, combining to result in equality under the law and natural rights for men, as well as an improvement of the economy as a result of tax reform and banking.

To many historians and society, Napoleon Bonaparte is hailed as a powerful and successful emperor due to the vast amount of  territories he conquered during his reign and the restoration of France’s economy. Despite these “successes”, Napoleon was actually inimical for France. He not only lost numerous battles that weakened France over time, but created numerous policies that made France less powerful than other nations and even betrayed the fundamental principles that the revolution was based on.

For this paper I was assigned to determine whether or not Napoleon Bonaparte was a hero or villain. I believe that he was a villain. Although not all he did was bad, he claimed many lives for nothing other than to gain power for himself. Not only did he declare many needless wars but he took away to of the most valued concepts of the revolution, which he calmed to be a part of.

Before Napoleon Bonaparte, France was in chaos and disorder after the death of the Monarchy and the aftermath it caused. When all hope was thought to be lost, that was when Napoleon came in, and brought order back. Napoleon saw himself as “a savior who carried ‘liberty, equality, and fraternity” (Merriman 548) or as the man who saved France. The statement is debatable however; did Napoleon really end the revolution? As shown throughout Bonaparte’s reign as a military dictator, the way he used his power is shown to have positive (and negative) effects that helped the French nation, and its people.

For someone so short in stature, Napoleon Bonaparte’s accomplishments and life story are gigantic in comparison. Even though some of Napoleon’s actions were autocratic, his ability to move his country forward was incredible. There are more books written about Napoleon than any other historical figure in the world; more than Julius Caesar, Muhammad, and even Jesus Christ. (Markham) Napoleon came to power at a perfect opportunistic time because France was in need of a new ruler to guide their country after the French Revolution, and Napoleon was believed to be a “man of the people”. Many ideas and goals from the French Revolution became a part of Napoleon’s reign. Prior to becoming the leader of France, he also served as a fierce and focused

“Power is my mistress. I have worked too hard at her conquest to allow anyone to take her away from me” (Brainy Quote). Napoleon Bonaparte, a megalomaniac of a French leader, held many intellectual and tactful abilities within himself that helped him to be a “successful” leader. Bonaparte was a mastermind in strategic thinking since an early age, which helped him aim higher and increase his ego and ambition. Although he was considered a hero to the people of France because he accomplished incorporating Enlightenment principles and an educational system among other things, it doesn’t weigh out the carnage he assumed was crucial for the France’s liberty. To the world's eye, Bonaparte was a self-important despot who wanted power above others. Because Napoleon proclaimed himself France’s emperor, devised the Continental System (which turned to a failure), and invaded Russia which ended disasterously for France and his troops, it proved him to be the ambitious oppressor who put his own power above the security of the country.

During the late 1700’s to mid 1800’s, the French Revolution became the spotlight of European politics. After multiple political leaders, including the King himself, had been disposed of the French people had grouped themselves into various political parties. France was in turmoil. Without a solid leader to demand control of the country, the people led many revolts leading to a national depression. Growing up during this time of instability, the popular general Napoleon Buonaparte, knew what his country needed to come back to power. During the next couple of decades, Napoleon spent his life building his empire by taking control militarily, politically, and religiously. In return he became the most powerful leader of his time.

Napoleon Bonaparte rose from unremarkable early years to become Emperor of France. He was born in the Age of Reason, and his family life, education, and military service provided him with broad exposure to these new ideas. As the Frenc Revolution began to gain momentum in the 1780s, Napoleon was a little-known figure. How did this relatively unknown military officer become the leader of France? The answer to this question lies in the intersection of person, place, and

Napoleon was a man of power and of free will, he was the creator, but without the French revolution he would have stayed Corsican officer in the French army.

The chaos and tragedy of the French Revolution to the rise and fall of Napoleon Bonaparte, the history of France between 1789 and 1815 was one of the most well studied time periods of history. The renowned historian William Doyle provided a new perspective on several key themes within the history of the periods. He sheds new light on the causes of the French Revolution and the impact of the revolution outside France. Taking a fresh look at the Napoleonic Empire, he considers the influences on Napoleon's leadership decisions and the machinations of his court.

Although Napoleon Bonaparte was an important leader in the history of France, he seemed to disappoint his citizens in the bigger picture. Bringing multiple reforms to the devastated after the revolution country, Bonaparte was counted on to be the savior of the nation, however, who would have know what his reign would lead to. Soon after the beginning of his coronation, France faced many wars with the surrounding European countries and Napoleon's performance during battles gained him the love of his people. Napoleon's skills in warfare were impressive so prospering the new reforms and supporting the people got pushed back. While the country’s economic situation needed urgent action, Napoleon chose to participate in excessively expensive wars

The last years of the French Revolution saw the rise of a man who assumed a quintessential part in molding the eventual fate of France – Napoleon Bonaparte. He had a colossal effect and is viewed as a standout amongst the most really popular military and political pioneers. He filled in as the primary Consul of France and was later turned into the Emperor of France. Amid his opportunity, he achieved real changes in the nation, for example, presentation of advanced education, foundation incorporated government, establishment of Bank of France, charge code, street and sewer frameworks. He revised the laws of France which is the reason his common code was known as Napoleonic Code. What recognized him from his counterparts was his methods that

Just a week ago, Napoleon Bonaparte became the new French Emperor. How does this affect France, you may ask? Some people may feel threatened that Napoleon suddenly decided to take so much power in the French government. My name is Jehan Martin, and I’m an editor for Le Moniteur Universel, a very well known French newspaper. Today, I’ll talk about why I, along with many others, think that Napoleon is a marvelous leader! His reign started on November 10, 1799, when Napoleon and his supporters heroically overthrew the French Directory. In my recent visit to Rome, I spoke to Lucien Bonaparte, Napoleon’s brother. I asked him what he had to say about what he saw during his brother’s overthrowing the French Directory. It turned out, although Lucien was actually the president of the