NAPOLEON’S INFLUENCE ON MODERN WESTERN MILITARY ARMIES Essay

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.

     Now that we have cleared that up, lets move to the actual events that took place. Spanish resistance was mainly part of the Peninsular War, or as some call it, Napoleon’s

Napoleon during battles, had made rapid movements with his large armies. He had also created new and different strategies for each battle to outsmart his opponents. INSERT QUOTE?!?!?!?

The downfall of the Napoleonic Empire is generally considered the battle at Waterloo but the Allied victory in the Battle of Leipzig on October 16-18 in 1813 is of great historical importance to Napoleonic Europe. In that battle strategic errors were made, political considerations and personal vengeance needed to be put aside; all these played a part on how Napoleon conducted his campaign in Leipzig. I will be discussing those “deceive moments” that would affect the outcome of the battle for Napoleon.

The Napoleonic Era is an example of Revolution of Military Affairs (RMA) and is fundamentally relevant today. During the Napoleonic Era many scholars studied the techniques used during his nearly twenty years of military success two of the more famous scholars is Clausewitz and Jomini. Both scholars were on Napoleons staff and learned a lot from failure as well as success. During my paper I will discuss three main points that represent a few of Napoleons contributes to the current military. The first point will be the change from dynastic armies to ideological nationalism. This change was valuable because the army called for volunteers and most of the population supported the revolution.2 The second point will be Napoleons ability to master maneuver wafare. Clausewitz and Jomini were two military scholars that studied Napoleon’s techniques used during his nearly twenty years of military success. They both took differenc

The conditions for using different strategies and tactics include enemy specific information, operational environment along with strategic and operational goals. One of the vital tactics developed during the Napoleonic era was the use of standard linear formations and the implementation of skirmishes, allowing the option of utilizing a combined effort of both when needed. In order to succeed in battle and incorporate awareness of his Army’s strength and weakness as well as taking into consideration of the operational environment, Napoleon introduced new tactics. The use of standard linear formations and the implementation of skirmishes is considered one the vital tactics of the Napoleonic era, allowing the option of utilizing a combined effort of both when needed. Current warfare approaches require serious contemplation of operational environments to determine what strategies or tactics are most suitable, yet another valuable strategy realized by Napoleon. Wars of years past typically fought with the idea or notion of symmetrical fighting, but current conflicts include an ability to utilize an asymmetrical approach, realizing as the environments and enemies change so too should our tactics and strategies. Strategies in the Napoleonic era considered military tactics first and foremost during warfare; however, logistical

To find the differences in warfare during the Napoleonic Wars that point towards total war, this research paper will analyze two distinct battles: The Glorious First of June (1794) and The Battle of Trafalgar (1805). Both battles took place during the Napoleonic Wars. Through these two battles, one can see the distinct changes in warfare after 1792. In the two battles during the Napoleonic Wars, new strategy and tactics will be detailed of which describe the significant changes in naval warfare.

Yes, I am including generals such as Alexander the Great, the Duke of Wellington, Ulysses S. Grant, Dwight D. Eisenhower, George S. Patton, and Erwin Rommel. He had a theory that wars could be won in one battle with a decisive blow and, of course, the complete annihilation of the enemy army. His army did not have supply lines; instead they lived off the land so that they could maximize their pace. Napoleon’s cavalry was used to scout ahead of the real army so that Napoleon could know exactly where his enemy was. Napoleon also divided his army into corps that were never more than 24 hours apart so that they could assist each other if necessary. Napoleon devised tactics so that he could win any battle, despite his numerical disadvantage. Finally, Napoleon did not command everything on the battlefield; he delegated to competent subordinates who were able to make their own decisions, which helped with his army’s

Napoleon applied Caesar’s strategies by swiftly splitting the Austrian army into small groups in which his troops out-numbered and conquered. Napoleon’s ideas were revolutionary because he combined these formerly designed tactics with new artillery, increasing the success of the strategies. Prior to Napoleon's new innovative ideas, there were many flaws.

The Battle of Bautzen is a French victory, but the victory is not well deserved. Napoleon finds little joy in being named the victor of this battle, but displays a smile nonetheless while in the presence of his men. This time, however, his men do not share in his delight. They have long accepted the direness of the German campaign, and now patiently await their emperor to come to the same realization. And while the soldiers of the Grande Armee loved their emperor far too much to abandon him, they would not win him another war, not out spite, but because they simply couldn’t. The Grande Armee is but a shell of its former self, a decade of ceaseless warmongering has deprived it of its most veteran officers, strained its resources,

The French army was not only promoted by the nationalism ideology, but also by discipline. Before the French Revolution, Soldiers at the time were viewed as the dredger of society. Soldiers within Fredrick the Great’s armies did not have loyalty. For example, Fredrick would send out troops for resources and his Soldiers often did not return; whereas Napoleon’s troops would gather resources from the land and return. Before the Seven Year’s War, the army was without enthusiasm and distinction, which lead to defeats. 2 Napoleon employed various tactics aimed at physiology warfare with his opposition. Napoleon gave his enemies the

How to achieve a decisive victory has been a constant quest of the Generals through all the history. In Europe, the commanders of XIX century used Napoleon’s “art of war” as a paradigm , focusing on mobility and the efficient use of logistics to move his army corps faster than enemy do. The concept of victory was a mass against mass battle, where the victor was the biggest army or the smartest general, being the infantry the main weapon of the army. As a result,

However, above everything else he is known for Bonaparte is best known for his success as a military leader. Bonaparte’s military genius allowed him to dominate the art of warfare on the European front. Peter J. Dean 2005 article describes Napoleon’s personality, intellect, and dedication to the military the reason for his success and rise to power. Napoleon made no major reforms to the military and didn’t invent any new equipment, he simply perfected what France already had. His military success was the most important part of his rise to power because it won him the people of France. When he over took the throne in a coup he was considered a hero of France; which allowed him to take over with little resistance from a loyal public who’s hearts

One of the most extravagant generals in France, Napoleon Bonaparte, received an unforeseeable option to rule as a consulate and emperor of France. From the late eighteenth century to the mid nineteenth century, Bonaparte was a ruler of France. Yet, as soon as the young general of France took rule, the French Revolution was speculated to have ceased. Also, Bonaparte is suspected to be either a democrat or dictator this period of time. Not only did the army general rise to have rulership; achievements; and devastating and satisfying wars.

Napoleon Bonaparte is credited with being a great military tactician as well as a military genius during his era. He played a significant role in world history and the art of war. The man’s genius was fundamentally practical, and all the military concepts he used were attributed to his close study that he did of his earlier commanders, predominantly Fredrick the Great. He did not trust any novel idea and thus by no means used other people’s concepts. He made the fullest utilization of the notions of his predecessors, which he breathed life into them making them successful. Napoleon had to be strategic in order to be victorious in his conquests. The skills, strategies and tactics he used in the battlegrounds were desired and thus copied by many during his era and up today. Warfare especially during the Napoleonic era fundamentally changed modern warfare and continues to be the main reason the military studies Napoleon today. It impacted the battles of today. This essay’s main purpose is to point out the impacts of Napoleon’s warfare strategies and tactics on modern day warfare. It will analyze the principles Napoleon used during his era, and they include the theory of nationalism, creation of the corps’ system and leading disciplined and professional armies.