Napoleon Bonaparte: A Small Man Who Shaped Today's History

During the Napoleonic Era, from 1799 to 1815, France became a military power gaining and controlling land throughout Europe. While some historians believe Napoleon Bonaparte was a ruthless dictator, his military accomplishments far outweigh any atrocities he committed. He helped France gain stability after the French Revolution and he also abolished the Feudal contract. Napoleon was a brilliant strategist using military tactics to cause fear and to defeat whatever enemies stood in his way. Throughout his rule, Napoleon continually gained ground, and by the end of his reign, his empire encompassed all of Spain, Italy, and a small portion of land by Russia and Austria. (see map) He is one of

Napoleon Bonaparte was born into a family of noble Italian ancestry. Napoleon settled in Corsica in the 16th century and later was trained as an artillery officer at a prestigious military school in France, where they most likely talked of Alexander the Great’s military conquests and strategies. In 1799, Napoleon

His plan backfired, and the French were pinned down in Egypt by the powerful British admiral Horiato Nelson, which led to Napoleon crawling back to France licking his wounds (McDougal, 584). Due to the public’s ignorance towards this defeat, Napoleon’s public image vastly improved, and his gain in power started to lead to totalitarianism. When the Directory began to lose political popularity with the common folk, Napoleon led an overthrow of the government (McDougal, 584). The aftermath of the coup seemed to be flawless; peace had come to Europe for the first time in ten years, and Napoleon, the most powerful public figure in France, could now focus on re-strengthening France (McDougal, 585). However, the countries of Britain, Austria, and Russia were forming the Second Coalition, an alliance with the intent to stop Napoleon, behind the scenes of France’s post-victory glory (McDougal, 585). Napoleon soon held a plebiscite, or a vote by the people, which made himself emperor and bestowed total power upon him (McDougal, 585).

Napoleon was one of the most influential people in the history of the world. He has affected people throughout the globe in many ways. He rose through the confusion of the French revolution to become Emperor of the French. His goal was to conquer all of Europe. Through out his lifetime he nearly succeeded in his goal. Napoleon was probably one of the greatest military leaders that ever lived. Napoleon Bonaparte, who is also known as the "little Corsican", was born on August 15,1769 in Ajaccio, Corsica. He was known as the "little Corsican" because of his height of 5 feet 2 inches. He had 7 brothers and sisters. His original name was Napoleon Bonaparte in Corsica but it

Napoleons childhood was similar to what you would expect of a French family during this time period. He is one of eight children that his mother, Letizia Romolino, gave birth to. Just like most during this time period, Napoleon and his siblings were raised poor. Their father was an attorney of law. PBS tells us that three months after Napoleon was born Corsica was overran by France. Given this, Napoleon grew up hating France the country soon enough to be the country that he would rule. He spent his early education at a boy’s school in Ajaccio. Then later moved on to a military school when he was just ten years of age.

As the Former French Prime Minister States in source 11, “France was isolated, beaten, occupied, dominated, hated, and smaller than before”. Paradoxically, was on its way to become a even stronger world power if not for the British and her allies. In source 12, Napoleon is outnumbered, but still continues the battle that becomes his final defeat. This was Napoleons last struggle once he returns to power and after this decisive battle, which in turn Napoleon was sent back into

By conquering most of continental Europe and causing mass devastation, the rest of independent Europe joined to bring about Napoleon’s defeat. And Napoleon’s dream of a united Europe would be unfeasible under the Congress of Vienna which divided Europe back into its separate entities. The aftermath of the Napoleonic Era left France weakened and strengthened other powers. France lost 1.4 million to Napoleon’s wars, it was cut back to its 1792 borders, and made to pay a reparation of 700 million Francs (Ellis 108-109). Napoleon lost territories around the world to Britain, and sold its largest overseas possession, Louisiana, to the Americans (“Napoleon’s impact”), making the United States into a continental power (Klepp). Britain was without a rival for a century, and reigned as the world’s superpower, an era of Pax Britannica. By abolishing the Holy Roman Empire, uniting German lands, and leaving behind effective institutions, Napoleon made the Germans an even more powerful foe (Ellis

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.

Napoleon would spend the next few years fighting wars in Italy and Egypt under the French government securing victory after victory for the still shaky republican government. He was called back to France to guard its borders and found the Republic weak and unliked, ousting the cabinet he held a Plebiscite a vote for him to become emperor. Three million voted for him and one thousand five hundred and sixty seven voted against. Leaving him emperor of France.

Napoleon Bonaparte, self-proclaimed Emperor of France and the famous military leader often mocked for his, allegedly, short stature and bad temper. Regardless of how he is portrayed, Napoleon was and still is an important figure in European history. Throughout his career, Napoleon achieved many accomplishments both on and off the battlefield, but some of his accomplishments were much greater than others.

Louis Napoleon Bonaparte came to life three months after the French defeated Corsica on August 15th, 1769 in the islands of Corsica, Ajaccio. He was the fourth born in the family out of eight children. His parents were Carlo Bonaparte and Maria Laetizia Ramolino. They were a poor family and even struggled extensively because of many children. Napoleon was taken to the military college of Brienne at the age of nine. Later on he joined the military Academy in Paris as At the age of 15 and graduated as an artillery officer in September 1785. Since the French defeated the Corsicans, most of the Corsican rebels decided to join the French rule, and Napoleons dad joined the French at the age

Napoleon was an opportunistic leader who’s military genius was unmatched and his political prowess very solid, but his goal of overtaking Europe ended his power. Napoleon was a powerful military leader who was able to gain the respect and admiration of France through his military victories. He saw the opportunity to be the French leader and jumped at it, but his goal of a unified Europe hurt him. His ego also played a part in his fall from power in his ill-advised decision to have his brother rule Spain. Napoleon’s military power was so great that he came close to ruling Europe in its entirety before meeting the end. His rule over France was very successful and he was able to run a country very effectively. He was even able to rule over

It was an uneasy peace however, and plans were made to invade Britain by crossing the English Channel, but these were abandoned when Napoleon marched his highly trained Grand Armée into central Europe to meet the converging forces of Austria and Russia. Capturing a large part of the Austrian army at Ulm, Napoleon crossed the Danube to face the remaining Austrians and the Russians at Austerlitz. The result was a decisive victory known as the 'Battle Of Three Emperors' on 2 December 1805. Austria sued for peace, but a new coalition was formed of Britain, Russia and Prussia. Napoleon defeated the Prussians at Jena in 1806, and the Russians at Friedland in 1807.

Shortly after Napoleon is named Consul, he sold the Louisiana Territory in the North America to the United States in order to raise money for his army. This helps France a lot and put the United States on good terms with France. Despite this major gain in funds, France loses the pivotal Battle of Trafalgar against Great Britain. France lost mainly because Great Britain had one of the strongest navies in the world. This would also really help Great Britain in a blockade that France set up later on.

Napoleon Bonaparte is remembered as a more significant ruler who redefined the history of not only France but also Europe, and the world at large. Interestingly, he went about realizing his objectives by both continuing and breaking from the aims of the revolutionary predecessors. His battleground was critical to determine his prowess by either supporting or opposing the path that had been laid before him. Napoleon made tremendous contributions towards changing the political structure of France through initiating wars that gravely impacted the then already established political order. Further, he made many accomplishments and defeats that significantly shaped the relationship between France and the rest of Europe.