Why Is Napoleon Considered A Good Leader

Napoleon had great military ability and leadership skills, these abilities led him to become Emperor of France in 1804 and modernize the nation after the revolution1. There are many positive points that can lead people to believe he was a hero of France, but for every one of those points there are negatives that lead us to believe he was a villain of Europe. Napoleon was not absolutely good or absolutely bad which makes it difficult to argue either side, but I believe in the case of Napoleon the bad outweighs the good, which is why I would put him as a 3 on a hero villain continuum. His villainous side appears if we look at the Napoleonic code, the continental system, dropping revolutionary ideas, and over estimating his military ability.

The actions that took place during Bonaparte's rule is something that would not have happened provided he was an enlightened despot. He threw out many of the enlightened ideas founded during the French Revolution. Napoleon Bonaparte wanted to do things his way and only his way. He wanted to expand his empire as far as he could and he would not have stopped. After he got a little taste of power he wanted more.

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

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.

The end of the 1700’s was a time of turmoil, fear, and uncertainty for the French citizens. The mass violence and killings during the revolution caused the people of France to question the government and what they were doing for the country. France needed a strong ruler to help stabilize the government against, and Napoleon did just that. When Napoleon seized power he was a very successful army general helping him gain popularity with the people. His allowability for citizens to rise in government according to their abilities helped him gain favor throughout the middle and lower classes. Napoleon also created the Napoleonic Code that reassured equality of males under the law and secured their wealth and property. This new code made the citizens

Napoleon Bonaparte was a great leader until he took his power too far. He helped France get out of their debt and also won multiple territories from winning wars. He continued to strengthen France with his great leadership and military strategies. Eventually, though, he began to abuse his power. He proceeded through a war, without forfeit and experienced a great defeat. During his time of power Napoleon was a paradox. Napoleon’s fall from being a great leader taught us that, sometimes when people get too used to having so much power and authority, they may abuse their powers to a large extent.

All these changes gave Napoleon perfect power to remove any opposition, as he had influence of appointment of judges and the Supreme Court. Napoleon also used the police, which monitored public opinion, used a network of spies and informants. Napoleon also had his own secret police so that he had supreme power to remove anyone at all that stood against him. Napoleon also appointed Prefects for each department which was important as it made a connection between local and central government and Napoleon made the prefects responsible for propaganda, education and conscription within each region, so Napoleon could make sure that he kept his support through out France. This repression was important as Napoleon could prevent any opposition from developing which may threaten his regime, as many normal people wont do anything if there is no organised opposition to turn

Napoleon was a good leader during that period of time,because he was a strong military commander who made France into a powerful empire. He created a government in France that supported equality and liberty. 1. His men follow him. Be it army or men, French people are extremely loyal to Napoleon. Which is one reason why he is a good leader. Even after the battle of Borodino, which was a disaster, soldiers never blame Napoleon for their defeat. (there are evident of this in one of marshal's memoir). Even after he was banished to Elba, when he came back, and alone, soldiers who were with Louis returned to his side, not a singe shot was fired.

Napoleon Bonaparte was one of the most successful leaders throughout history acquiring an enormous empire stretching from Belgium to the far side of the Adriatic Sea. In addition, Napoleon was a military genius and strategist as well as emperor of France, twice, once from 1804 to 1814 and then again in 1815 which started the 100 Days War. With all of his achievements Napoleon stands out with numerous competencies and attributes of a leader that are used and encouraged today and looking at his history one can see the positive impact that it had on the men he lead as well as the success that he made in conquest. As well as showing many positive leader attributes Napoleon also showed a few distasteful leadership attributes and characteristics that would not be excepted today and it is reflected in some of the problems that Napoleon had as a leader from using them.

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.

Consequently, as most people of such a high status, Napoleon was expected to do immense things for his country. Such things include bringing peace to France and stopping the political disorder within the country. Most importantly, people wanted him to completely encompass the things that they fought for during the French Revolution. Napoleon himself had said that he had kept the best policies and ideas from the Revolution. With all of these things that Napoleon needed to do, many people looked up to him, making him an even higher figure than before. This let him use his power to generate funds for a more nationalist and patriotic country. He had solved many of the problems people were talking about after rising to power, such as making peace between the government and the church.

Napoleon Bonaparte is often characterized as one of the most brilliant and influential military leader in all of history. Known mostly for his diminutive stature and extraordinary military skill, Napoleon Bonaparte is commonly recognized today for his great accomplishments and works regarding the country of France. Though he achieved many great things, the successfulness of this leader is often still debated all across the world. Many believe he was unsuccessful and arrogant while others argue that Napoleon’s great skill shaped the world as it is known today. Though there are numerous conflicting viewpoints throughout the world, Napoleon’s successfulness is more prominent, for his reforms to the country of France and military dominance set him apart from all other preceding leaders.

Napoleon should be considered a tyrant because of his damaging ability to manipulate a society for his personal benefit. Narcissistic morals turned Napoleon into the the tyrant he is remembered as. His attempt to conquer Europe was for the sole purpose of becoming a ruler. The main reason for Napoleon being a Tyrant was his need to kill to bring himself out on top. Napoleon had no qualms about killing French citizens.

Napoleon Bonaparte was a powerful leader who established the foundations of modern Europe through an administration riddled with controversy. Napoleon came to power in 1799 by overthrowing The Directory in France and appointing himself as the emperor, thus having complete control over the country. Napoleon's most lasting achievements include instituting the Napoleonic code, taking control of nearly all of Europe, and engaging in numerous battles with European nations. After years of serving in Europe, Napoleon had many foreign interactions and made himself a reputation split between a hero and a tyrant. To be a tyrant means to be a cruel and oppressive leader, something Europe was familiar with from the absolutist monarchs in their history

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.