Napoleon's Rise to Power

Napoleon made many mistakes in his invasion into Russia. He was a brilliant leader, but in the later years of his life his tactical genius faltered, perhaps due to illness. His invasion was planned with little preparation or focus, and without proper purpose. Napoleon may have been affected by illness, or even arrogance because of his previous victories. He believed that he was infallible, and so he did not assess the situation correctly. His oversights cost him a victory and eventually his title as Emperor of France. The Russian campaign was the greatest catastrophe in his entire career and signalled to those opposing him that he was no longer indestructible. Prior to the defeat, many had believed Napoleon to be an undefeated military genius and because of this few wished to oppose him. The crippling Russian failure exposed a weakness which the enemies of France were quick to exploit. Napoleon himself realised this and hurried home to France in an attempt to stop news of the defeat from spreading, though this was in vain. Britain, Russia, Sweden and Prussia prepared to go to war with Napoleon. In the year following his defeat, Napoleon raised an army of around 400 000 to go to war against the allied powers. However, this army was inexperienced and outnumbered. The defeat of the Grand Army had rid France of its best soldiers, and many in the new army had never fought before. Napoleon’s empire was collapsing on every front.

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 quickly learned he was outnumbered by the Allied force, and developed a strategy to seize the initiative. Napoleon faced an Austrian Army of 200,000, Russian Army of over 150,000, a Prussian Army of over 100,000, and British Army of over 100,000 which out numbered the 200,000 he could muster. The French Commander decided to implement a strategy to divide and attack each army individually in order to defeat their will. Napoleon believed the Allied Forces would lose resolve if separated and not come to the aid of another country.2 Napoleon's assessment proved accurate as the Austrian and Russian Army's did not arrive in time to be relevant, and he was able to split the British and Prussian forces in Belgium. At the Battle of Ligny, on June 16th, 1815 Napolean was able to defeat the Prussian Army commanded by General Gebhard von Blucher; however, he was unable to destroy them. Three days later the Battle of Waterloo was fought 12 miles south of Brussels. Napoleon's French forces faced the Duke of Wellington from Britain and General Gebhard von Blucher of Prussia.

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

Napoleon won battles in Italy and Austria early in his rule, but eventually, the French Emperor attempted to conquer other major powers in Europe. Napoleon lost major battles in Russia and Britain, and the French people’s perception of their king began to change. Document 5 shows a painting of Napoleon in 1812, during the French invasion of Russia. Napoleon is depicted very negatively: he appears to be short, almost small, overweight, and certainly not the heroic image he carried early in his rule. In Document 7, Napoleon is controlled at the hands of the Duke of Wellington, dancing like a puppet. The painting was published in 1815, the year Napoleon was officially removed from power. As Napoleon’s initial success faded, so did his

Napoleon Bonaparte was born on August 15, 1769 in Ajaccio, Corsica. He came from a respected family, the family strayed away from being involved with the military. Napoleon joined the military, and developed a skill as a leader. He continued to rise through the ranks, eventually gaining

Napoleon Bonaparte’s invasion of Russia was a major factor in his downfall. In 1812, Napoleon, whose alliance with Alexander I had disintegrated, launched an invasion into Russia that ended in a disastrous retreat from Moscow. Thereafter, all of Europe, including his own allies, Austria and Prussia, united against him. Although he continued to fight, the odds he faced were impossible. In April 1814, Napoleon’s own marshals refused to continue the struggle and stepped down from their positions. During the actual Russian campaign, there were many key factors that greatly impacted his downfall.

their allies helped Napoleon in that Britain could no longer use troops and supplies in the war against France since there was an Embargo. The leader of the French was a self appointed, ruthless Napoleon Bonaparte who designed a policy to strengthen France and for him to become more popular. The Napoleonic Wars concluded with the Battle of Waterloo (June 1815) where Napoleon saw his remaining elite guards

In December of 1848 louis’ napoleon was elected president by a big margin, another reason he was elected is because everyone knew him uncle who was famous. Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte was the only President of the French Second Republic. Born on April 20, 1808, in Paris, France, Charles-Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte was the third son of napoleon the first. Louis-Napoleon grew up in Switzerland, living with his mother, who instilled in him a longing for France and an abiding admiration of the genius of Napoleon I. when louis was about 20 years old he settled in Italy when he started to like history and its ideas. Napoleon wanted to become president of just like his grandfather he started small with northern Italy he started fighting other people and that’s when the law cracked down on him he fled Italy. Suffering from measles, Napoleon-Louis died in his brother’s louis’ napoleons arms.

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

- After his triumph driving the British out of Toulon Napoleon was made a brigadier general. With two successful campaigns 1796 he drove the Austrians north of Italy. He was able to make the government of France very dependent on him. His dealings with Italians produced a "Cisalpine" republic modeled after the French with Milan as its capital. After seizing political power in France in a 1799 coup d’état, he crowned himself emperor in 1804. ending when Napoleon Bonaparte staged a coup d'état and declared himself the ruler of France. Essentially, Napoleon ended the French Revolution. Napoleon was successfully leading military campaigns, succeeding both abroad and squelching counter-revolutionary activities at home. While the people

     In 1769, Napoleon Bonaparte was born in Ajaccio, Corsica. His middle class family was of Italian descent. After completing his education, Napoleon went to France to become a solider.

1.On August 15, 1769, Napoleon Bonaparte was born in Corsica. This was just after the French beat this island.

situation. With the forces assembled they sent an army led by napoleon and maximillion to

Once again, Napoleon assumed the position of Emperor, but it lasted only 100 days until the battle of Waterloo and was defeated by the English and Prussian Armies on June 18, 1815.