...Napoleon Rocks! These are my top five picks for why Napoleon rocks! The Original Spin Doctor and brilliant PR man – through creation of his own Bulletins, articles for the official press, campaign newspapers, medallions, and selected patronage of the arts, Napoleon was the first modern man to create and publicize the image he wanted portrayed. The effects of this calculated positive public image on events from 1796 onwards cannot be underestimated in contributing to his political and military success. Ended the French Revolution – after 10 years of civil strife, constant violence, topsy-turvy governments, revolution, counter revolution, counter-counter-revolution, economic instability and general uncertainty, the French people just wanted someone to bring stability to their nation on all these fronts. After the Coup d’Etat of 18 Brumaire, they finally had it. Napoleon Bonaparte. Significant Civil reforms – in the span of just a few short years he accomplished what some nations take decades (or in some case centuries) to achieve. Complete re-write of the legal code (Code Napoleon), created the Banque de France to restore financial stability, reformed the education system, instituted an extensive program of public works (building roads, bridges and canals, dredging harbours; and beautifying cities, especially Paris), centralized the governmental systems which is still in effect today in France, settled the dispute with the Catholic Church (Concordat)…the list goes on. Meritocracy...
Words: 368 - Pages: 2
...impact of Napoleon on Europe The Napoleonic Empire came into existence following the coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte as Emperor of France at Notre Dame in 1804. The frontiers of the ancien regime had been expanded up to and beyond France’s natural borders, with the momentum of expansion following in direct correlation with the pace of France’s military conquests under the leadership of Bonaparte himself. The ‘Great Empire’ is often referred to as a single entity embracing French controlled Europe, but territories were in fact separated depending on the levels of French control. Territory ruled directly from Paris was known as the pays reunis which compromised of France’s natural frontiers (borders of the Rhine, Alps and Pyrenees) as well as annexed territories of Piedmont, Parma, Papal States and Holland after 1810. It was also divided into the pays conquis, which were nominally independent satellite states and formed a zone protecting the borders of the French Empire from attacks from countries such as Britain. These were ruled by Frenchmen who were usually close to Napoleon as a family member or as a close friend, such as Jerome Bonaparte who was King of Westphalia and Joachim Murat who was King of Naples. When discussing impact, the effects of Napoleon and his policies on factors such as economies, religion and nationalism in satellite states that composed the Napoleonic Empire will be taken into account, whether positive or negative on the states. Napoleon changed...
Words: 4637 - Pages: 19
...Napoleon Bonaparte, who is also known as the “little Corsican”, was born on August 15,1769 in Ajaccio, Corsica. His family had moved there from Italy in the 16th century. His original name was Napoleone. He had 7 brothers and sisters. His original nationality was Corsican-Italian. He also despised the French. He thought they were oppressors of his native land. His father was a lawyer, and was also anti-French. One reason Napoleon may have been such a great leader and revolutionary because was he was raised in a family of radicals. When Napoleon was nine, his father sent him to Brienne, a French military government school in Paris. While there he was constantly teased by the French students. Because of this Napoleon started having dreams of personal glory and triumph. From 1784 to 1785 Napoleon attended the Ecole Militaire in Paris. It was there that he received his military training. He studied to be an artillery man and an officer. He finished his training and he joined the French army when he was just 16 years old. His father died after that and he had to provide for his entire family. Napoleon was stationed in Paris in 1792. After the French monarchy was overthrown in August of that year, Napoleon started to make a name for himself and become a well known military leader. In 1792 Napoleon was promoted to captain. In 1793 he was chosen to direct the artillery against the siege in Toulon. Soon after that Toulon fell and Napoleon was promoted to brigadier general. Napoleon...
Words: 733 - Pages: 3
...In the year 1860, Napoleon III found himself in a troubling position. Just eight years after an overwhelmingly favorable election, he found his popularity and influence greatly diminished. In the years since Napoleon became emperor, France had seen many military victories. The most notable was a decisive victory in the Crimean War against the Russians. Due to these numerous and very successful wars France saw a great expansion in territory. The only flaw that came with engaging in such a numerous amount of wars in a short period of time was that they were not cost effective in the short term. The treasury's pockets were pinched by the Napoleon’s important project of rebuilding and restoring Paris. Even more debt was amassed by furthering France’s railways and through the modernization banking. These expenditures were very profitable for France in the long run, but coupled with costly foreign ventures and exploits, the public opinion had begun to sway on Napoleon III. Seeing the twilight dawn upon him, Napoleon searched for a way to regain popularity and strengthen his rule over France. In December 1861, Napoleon, against the wishes of his advisors, issued a decree that the legislature would be granted more power. This ushered in an era of liberal reform in France. This is not to say every part of the government was shifted liberally during this era, much to the contrary, as Roger Price writes, most repressive legislation remained intact during this time. “Repression...
Words: 1705 - Pages: 7
...Background: Napoleon Bonaparte was the fourth born among his eight siblings, born from a noble family. His father was Carlo Bonaparte, who was a gentleman of Ajaccio, Corsica, whose family of Tuscan origin had settled there and later on married him to Laetitia Ramolino who was a young girl of the island. His father had inherited a lawsuit which focused on the task of recovering an estate which the French church had taken possession of. His mother, Madame Bonaparte, played a significant role in the shaping and upbringing of Napoleon as she was a firm and determined lady who was extremely thorough when it came to matters of order and economy amongst her family. (Markham, 1966) “I was born,” said Napoleon, “when my country was perishing. Thirty thousand Frenchmen were vomited upon our soil. Cries of the wounded, sighs of the oppressed, and tears of despair surrounded my cradle at birth.” During the time of his birth, the Corsicans who were led by the Patriot Paoli led a revolt against the French, who at that time were the masters of the island. Napoleons father was part of the revolt and played a significant role by sharing his fortunes of his chief to the end of the struggle of 1769. They were defeated and they, including Napoleons Family fled to the mountains. As time passed by, the Corsicans submitted and the Bonaparte’s went back to Ajaccio where Napoleon was born. (Markham, 1966) In order for his father to gain support from the French government, he humbled himself...
Words: 4574 - Pages: 19
...Dulce Cambron Ms. Pagliaro Art 1B 23 April 2015 Napoleon Crossing Saint-Bernard and Leading the Army over the Alps There has been many artists throughout the years that have captivated the audience with their works of art and/or sculptures. Some of which still remain in important museums like the Musee du Louvre and the Brooklyn Museum. There has also been many artists of today that recreate past paintings and change the message being delivered to the audience. For example, in 1801 Jacques-Louis David created the painting Napoleon Crossing Saint-Bernard. This painting is now located in the Natural Museum of Château de Malmaison which is 12km from Paris. In 2005, two hundred and four years later to be exact, an artist named Kehinde Wiley created the painting Napoleon Leading the Army Over the Alps. This painting has been placed in the Brooklyn Museum and has become part of their collection. These two paintings are considered to be practically the same thing yet deliver a distinct message, as in the modern version it changes the main character as well as his appearance and message. Therefore, Wiley’s painting is better than Jacques-Louis painting as it expresses a different aspect of humanity being in power. Napoleon Crossing Saint-Bernard was a creation of the early 18th century painter Jacques-Louis David. It took Jacques-Louis around four months to complete this work of art, it was done from October 1800 to January 1801. Posterior to all of the terrific situation France...
Words: 1174 - Pages: 5
...Napoleon Bonaparte was a notorious, French dictator and a hero in combat. In Battle, his strategies and tactics led him to consistent victories and to the domination of the battlefield. With his heroic traits, he unified France and made it into a great and powerful country. Bonaparte was also able to win the loyalty of his people, making him the hero that he is considered to be. Napoleon, a not so average artillery officer, worked his way up the ranks of the military to gain respect. Soon, he had full control of the mightiest army in the known world and with his tactics he was able to conquer many surrounding nations. Since he overthrew the Directory in 1799, he won many consecutive battles without a loss. This continued until the battle of Berezina in 1812. For 13 years, Napoleon Bonaparte was able to dominate the battlefield without ever losing a battle. This Proves Napoleon’s wits in battle and how his military campaigns led to him being a hero in France. Napoleon Bonaparte changed the way that France was ruled. He overthrew the directory and became the emperor of France. He led several military campaigns and made France one of the most powerful nations in the known world at that time. Bonaparte also increased the wealth of his country because he brought home many treasures from the lands that he conquered. Napoleon also brought Nationalism to...
Words: 442 - Pages: 2
...do not actually conform to these patterns, and have a good mix of both. Napoleon Bonaparte was no exception to this rule. Many people are quick to label him as “bad,” he did in fact represent the French Revolution. Though he did taint some of the goals with his own beliefs, Napoleon was a son of the Republic and believed in Revolution. Napoleon stood for...
Words: 754 - Pages: 4
...Napoleon di Buonaparte was born the 15th of August in 1769. He was a military and political leader that climbed his was from the bottom to the top of prominence during the French Revolution. He led several successful campaigns during the Revolutionary Wars in France as a military star. As Napoleon I, he was Emperor of France and the counties he conquered from 1804 until 1814, and then again in 1815. Napoleon reigned over Europe for more than a decade while leading France against a series of battles in the Napoleonic Wars. He built a large empire that ruled over most of Europe before its fall mid-1815. As the leader of France, Napoleon had many accomplishments. When finishing the military academy in Paris he was commissioned a lieutenant, this in 1785. Not far behind, he was promoted to brigadier general in 1794 after saving the government from counter-revolutionary forces. Now as a general, Napoleon led a victory in Italy in 1797. His most up-kept accomplishment though is the Napoleonic Code. Napoleon was also a political man. Why? It helped him stay a large military figure. In order to keep himself ahead of others and ahead of the newly formed revolution, he would regularly discuss electoral ideas and thoughts...
Words: 532 - Pages: 3
...Napoleon the Genius of France By: Brian Tan Drekolias CHY4U1 Tuesday, January-15-13 What defines a genius? Is genius a measure of intellectual prowess or is it something that is determined by the accomplishments of an individual? Many would agree that geniuses are a combination of both intellect and their accomplishments achieved. An abundance of names would come to one’s mind when speaking of geniuses: Leonardo Da Vinci, Albert Einstein, Bill Gates, and Stephen Hawking. But one name that seems to slip the minds of many is none other than Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon is a figure in history that is very controversial; some view him as a hero of the people while others view him as a tyrant and the devil incarnate. However, none can argue with the accomplishments that Napoleon achieved over a long career. He took France and ultimately saved it from itself; he improved the nation with his domestic policies, victories in battle as well as giving the French a global identity and a sense of pride. Therefore, Napoleon was a genius...
Words: 1521 - Pages: 7
...Napoleon: Hero or Tyrant? Napoleon is an example of a tyrant. Napoloen’s personal and romantic life should be factored into the assessment of being a tyrant. He tried to conquer al of Europe and become the number 1 ruler. He expanded the empire of France. He failed ti improve the conditions of the poor and focused mainly on the middle class people. He input many reforms and regulations that were suppose to help France, in reality he was gaining power for himself. Josephine de Beauhams was the first wife and Empress of the French. She had two children from previous marriages , but had no children for Napoleon. In 1810 , Bonaprte divocred her and married Marie Louise of Austria. That made the Second wife of Napoleon and Empress pf the french...
Words: 350 - Pages: 2
...This source is a biography on Napoleon Bonaparte, who changed the world with his high level of thinking and his ambition. I read three chapters in this book to get a better understanding of how Napoleon used his army and how he got to command all of France. The first chapter I read was called “Captain Cannon”, and it is about Napoleon saving the Convention. In the waning days of the Convention in the fall of 1795, royalist–influenced sections in Paris revolted to prevent a new constitution that protected the position of the radicals. Bonaparte was delegated to put down the uprising of 5 October 1795, and he did so in a manner that has been remembered throughout history, firing cannons into the crowd on the streets of Paris. This action was...
Words: 326 - Pages: 2
...The Rise and Fall of Napoleon Bonaparte The great French military leader Napoleon Bonaparte had initially capitalized on the changes of the French Revolution to improve the lives of French citizens. But over time, Napoleon's lust for power overcame his good economic, political and military accomplishments, and his transformation into a selfish dictator led to his fall. Napoleon was born on 15th August 1769 at Ajaccio on the island of Corsica, he was the second son (having 7 siblings) of a lawyer who had minor connections to the aristocracy and was far from wealthy (Dugdale). His family was radical in outlook and as a young man he strongly identified with his Corsican heritage. Thanks in part to his mother’s adultery with the French military governor Comte de Marbeuf he began his military education at Brienne military academy and later in 1784 at the Military school in Paris, and he worked hard to complete his studies in a further year rather than the required three years (Dugdale). This was the natural choice of service for the young Bonaparte as he was gifted at science and mathematics, which were essential skills for any artillery officer of the time (Dugdale). The young Napoleon spent much of the next 8 years in Corsica supporting the Corsican rebel Pasquale Paulo who had been a patron of Napoleon's father. When the revolution broke out the Bonaparte family fled to France and Napoleon became opposed to Pasquale. He would quite likely have...
Words: 2040 - Pages: 9
...“A hero is a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.” “A villain is cruelly malicious person who is involved in or devoted to wickedness or crime.” Napoleon Bonaparte was the prime emperor of the French and was first consul. He had many great ideas that he thought would benefit him and his country but sadly, the way that he implemented those ideas did not have a great appeal on some people. Napoleon’s rule as a general, consul and emperor stood as a subject to varying interpretations along the spectrum of heroism and villainy. In this paper, his foreign behaviour as well as his greater effect on Europe will be navigated. Napoleon and his actions will be covered, giving a clear view onto where his rule lied in terms of...
Words: 640 - Pages: 3
...Napoleon Bonaparte’s rise to power consisted of many mistakes, wrong turns, and pitfalls, yet he managed to become head of the most powerful country in Europe at the age of thirty. During his formative years, his character was ambiguous and his intensions were often ill defined. He was, however, highly ambitious, and it was this that advanced his career and social status (Asprey). His most important and consistent aim was to create a French Empire and establish French dominance over Europe, which he was able to accomplish (Grab). However, as Napoleon became more powerful, his opposition grew stronger. It was evident that he was destined to be deposed by political responsibility and personal betrayal. Unfortunately, his threatening obsessions and potential for violence later led to his fall (Leggiere). Napoleon Buonaparte was born in Ajaccio, Corsica, on August 15th 1769 (Asprey, 7). The Buonaparte’s were a wealthy family from the Corsican nobility, but were considered poor when compared to the great aristocracies of France. Not quite nobility, one would assume that Buonaparte’s chance to rise was somewhat slim. But Napoleon was ambitious to become a well-known leader, and therefore strived to do so. He spent his early years in a military school in France but was considered an outsider because many of the other students came from very wealthy French families (13). Napoleon was driven by his father’s death in 1785. He graduated as second lieutenant in the artillery after attending...
Words: 1881 - Pages: 8
