...was called the French Revolution. At this time, the country of France went from being a monarchy which was ruled by King Louis XVI, who was king of France from 1744 until his removal in the year 1792 (Furet 1995), to a republic ruled by the people and then a full dictatorship. Soon after, the role of ruler came to Napoleon Bonaparte who was the military general and first emperor of the country of France (History.com Staff 2009). Napoleon was born on the date of August 15, 1769 in Corsica, France and died on May 5, 1821 on the island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean (History.com Staff 2009). During his reign, Napoleon promised the people of France that their revolution would be honored, but rather ruled the way he wanted which provided mixed opinions on whether he destroyed or upheld the French Revolutions. This paper will argue about the parts of the French revolution affected by Napoleon Bonaparte, whether positively or negatively, and which of them he preserved and which did he destroy, keeping in mind the motto liberty, equality and fraternity as well as the three estates, the clergy, the nobility and everyone else. To begin with, Napoleon was a very popular figure in France because of his military ideas and talents. Napoleon only lost three out of all fourteen wars he took part in during his lifetime. He had strong military tactics that aided him in the defeat of Austria (Furet 1995). This quickly hooked the citizens of France as well as the French directory. ...
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...Napoleon Bonaparte was born August 15th, 1769 in Corsica.Napoleon was a military man his entire life. His father, Carlo Buonaparte sent Napoleon to military school when he was just ten years old. By the time he was 17, Napoleon was a second lieutenant in the French Army. Napoleon continued to rise to power while the French Revolution began to rage in 1789. The French Revolution also allowed Napoleon to rapidly gain power and high ranking. One of Napoleon’s biggest moves was the coup d'état led in 1799. In this, Napoleon seized power in France and eventually declared himself emperor in 1804. Napoleon’s military and political success was made possible by the French Revolution. As it was such a turbulent time in history, it allowed for Napoleon...
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...Did Napoleon and Robespierre preserve or destroy the ideals of the revolution Napoleon is one of the greatest figures in the history of revolution. He rose from a poor background to become the most revered leader in France and Europe at large. He led the French people against the ancient regime which was monarchical in nature. Napoleon was able to deliver France into a pure democracy. He served a lot of revolutionary ideals such as denouncing state religion, preserved religious freedom, and founded Lycee, enhanced liberty, among many others. Similarly, Maximilien Robespierre was another major revolutionary figure in France. Before he got into power, he fought for the rights of the poor and oppressed. He was able to attract the attention of the urban workers known as sans-culottes. He was able to overthrow the Jacobin government in his revolutionary mission. However, both of these leaders destroyed ideals of the revolution when they got into power. They practiced authoritarian rule by limiting freedom, equality and putting their family in leadership positions. This was a total diversion from the core...
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...The French revolution began in 1789 in response to a food shortage, an unfair taxing system, the exhausted tension of living in an absolutist monarchy, and as a result of having called a meeting of the estates general to vote new taxes for the king but not allowing the voice of the third and the largest estate to be heard. In this essay, I will provide evidence from a four-part documentary and the French declaration of the rights of man and citizen that shows that Napoleon both subverted and extended the principle ideas of the French revolution during his reign. Napoleon subverted and extended the ideals of the French revolution in many ways. One subversion of the ideals of the French revolution is natural rights. During the French revolution, many philosophes came to the conclusion that not only did natural rights exist, they apply to individuals and the monarchy. One such right listed in the declaration of the right of man and citizen written by the national assembly is article 11. This article states that “the free communication of ideas and opinions is one of the most precious of the rights of man. Every citizen may, accordingly, speak, write, and print with freedom, but shall be responsible for such abuses of this freedom as shall be defined by law” which is essentially the freedom of speech the press and...
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...Napoleon and the French Revolution Name: Institution: Professor: Napoleon and the French Revolution The French Revolution had the following ideals “Equality, Liberty, as well as Fraternity,” even though the approaches that were employed to attain these objectives were excessive (Brown, 2007, p.139). For instance, around 40,000 people were executed in that Reign of Terror. Napoleon, the French army officer, got hold of the French government in 1799 through a coup de'tat, and he wanted to restore peace in France through bringing the Revolution to an end. In order to accomplish this, Napoleon had to be in total control: this made him rule as a dictator. The French revolution eradicated the privileges that had been given to the noble class and detached the church from the state leading to the establishment of the French Republic. The revolution ideology inspired the whole Europe’s intellectuals among them being Napoleon Bonaparte, who ascended to the position of the Consul, the first of its kind in the newly formed republic of France, On the other hand, Napoleon was conscious of the fact that he would have to grant the French citizens some of their freedoms as well as rights that they were seeking for during the Revolution. According to Connelly (2012), this was crucial in gaining the trust of the people and preventing the onset of yet another Revolution. It is, therefore, accurate to assert, "Napoleon stabilized and brought together the French society, yet he supported...
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...Napoleon Bonaparte was one of the most intelligent, power driven emperors in French history. During the French revolution, the people were at war with their government because the peasants overthrew every form of government that was made. Peasants were getting tired of social classes and being taxed so heavily. During this time, the reign of terror had begun. The reign of terror was made of radicals (a group of peasants) who killed people who did not agree with the revolution. Napoleon Bonaparte crowns himself emperor which ends the French revolution. Napoleon was a hero to the citizens of France because he did great things for their country. The way Napoleon used the power he had and gained more embodies the ideals of the French revolution because he did everything in his power to make things fair. Napoleon embodies the ideals of the French revolution because of his treatment towards the peasants. After the French revolution, Napoleon wanted to give more rights to peasants in other countries. For example, Napoleon issues an imperial decree in Spain that outlaws feudal rights (document 2). To give the peasants more land, the number of convents in Spain are eliminated. Napoleon also wanted the peasants to be taxed less so he made it illegal to tax imports with in Spain (document 2). Napoleon wanted to...
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...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...
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...Was Napoleon An Heir to the French Revolution? Of all the Events of European history, the French Revolution of 1789 is without doubt one of the most important and controversial. Similarly Napoleon Bonaparte has to be amongst the most written on and opinion dividing individuals world history has ever seen. Therefore the question as to weather Napoleon was an heir to the revolution, its saviour, hijacker, or simply consolidator is probably the most frequently asked question regarding the revolution and Napoleon. In this essay I will be attempting to answer the question of weather Napoleon was an heir to the French Revolution. This will involve me firstly exploring my definition of the term heir, and my views on the explanations and definitions of the French Revolution. Having done this I will then move on to examine the reign of Napoleon. By doing this I hope to prove my view that, whilst Napoleon may be considered an inevitable consequence of the revolution, he was not its heir. Get help with your essay In my opinion the word heir describes a person's or events natural successor. Therefore the term heir to the revolution would in my opinion be used to describe the next regime, which came to embody the principles and morals of the revolution. The revolution's heir must be the regime that follows on from were the revolution left France, and presides over, or creates the kind of society the revolutionaries of 1789 intended to. It is my belief that...
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...2/HUM2052 Napoleon Out of the chaos and confusion of the French Revolution, one man arose who would change the course of French and European history. This man has been called everything from a military genius and heroic soldier to a delusional dictator and paranoid executioner. Whatever one’s opinion may be, one thing is certain: Napoleon Bonaparte redefined post-Revolutionary France and, in turn, redefined the idea of what it meant to be a military dictator. To say that there was chaos and political unrest during the French Revolution is a huge understatement. After decades of oppression amidst a feudalistic society, the country peasants revolted against wealthy landowners and the aristocracy. The gap between the wealthy and powerful and those who were less fortunate was enormous, and the majority of Frenchmen would no longer tolerate living amidst poverty, hunger, and sickness while the French aristocracy lived the life of luxury off the taxes they imposed on the impoverished. After the uprising, France quickly fell into political unrest and financial disaster, with different men rising to power on nothing more than their own aspirations or “reigns of terror”, a la Robespierre. France was spinning out of control and nothing seemed to stabilize society or wield control on the population. The French were desperate for a hero, someone who would come and not only save their dying country, but also reinstate their dignity, power, and sense of national pride. Napoleon recognized...
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...history, the French Revolution of 1789 is without doubt one of the most important and controversial. Similarly Napoleon Bonaparte has to be amongst the most written on and opinion dividing individuals world history has ever seen. Therefore the question as to weather Napoleon was an heir to the revolution, its saviour, hijacker, or simply consolidator is probably the most frequently asked question regarding the revolution and Napoleon. In this essay I will be attempting to answer the question of weather Napoleon was an heir to the French Revolution. This will involve me firstly exploring my definition of the term heir, and my views on the explanations and definitions of the French Revolution. Having done this I will then move on to examine the reign of Napoleon. By doing this I hope to prove my view that, whilst Napoleon may be considered an inevitable consequence of the revolution, he was not its heir. In my opinion the word heir describes a person's or events natural successor. Therefore the term heir to the revolution would in my opinion be used to describe the next regime, which came to embody the principles and morals of the revolution. The revolution's heir must be the regime that follows on from were the revolution left France, and presides over, or creates the kind of society the revolutionaries of 1789 intended to. It is my belief that Napoleon and the Napoleonic regime did not either preside over or create this kind of society and as such Napoleon cannot be considered...
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...Napoleon Bonaparte was a great French soldier. Born to a Nobel French family in 1769 on the island of Corsica, he moved to France in 1777 and joins the Royal military School located in Brienne, later helping the country defeat Britain at Toulon during the French Revolution. In reward, he was made a Brigadier General. He later commanded a thirty thousand man French army in Italy, leading them to victory against the Austrians in 1779 (Fremont-Barnes, 2010). After this victory Napoleon negotiated the Treaty of campo Formio, earning him significant popularity upon his return to France. In Paris, the Directory has lost favor with the people because it concentrates more on waging war across Europe rather than addressing the problems facing the citizens mostly unemployment. When Napoleon learns that the Directory is losing power, he quickly returns from Egypt to Paris to cease the opportunity through a military coup, becoming the first Consul in the new government in 1799. The event marks the end of the chaos caused by the French Revolution, and Napoleon stands out as the savior of the country from the chaos of living in Paris in 1799 through his actions both inside and outside France depicted in the events below: July 25th 1799 Napoleon leads the French army to victory over the Ottoman army led by Seid Mustafa Pasha at the battle of Abukir to prevent any attempts by the British to end French rule in Egypt. The act is a clear indication that Napoleon is ready to protect French...
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...The French Revolution happened in 1789 and ended at 1799.There were five causes for the French Revolution: Absolute Monarchy, Social Inequality, Economic Injustice, Enlightenment, and Other Revolutions. During the French Revolution there were four stages: The Tennis Court Oath, The Great Fear, The Rain Of Terror, and Moderation. There were two relevant effects that were called, The Spread of The Idea of a Democratic Government, and Nationalism.Napoleon was a very important guy during the French Revolution. In 1789 France was ruled under an Absolute Monarchism. The Absolute Monarchism happened when King Louie and Queen Marin Marian Twenet of France made a final decision and no one could complain. In France people were broken up into three states,...
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...In the process of consolidating his position, Napoleon's Consulate Reforms betrayed the principles of the French Revolution" To what extent is this true? In napoleons consolidating section "he oversaw the development of a police state that Louis XVI could never had dreamed of" said Francois Furet. this was said to be achieved through a gradual increase in power through the series of reforms in which he would have completely changed the course of French History. Many of the key aspects of the french society which Napoleon reformed were for the Political, electoral systems as well as education, social, religious and financial. these reforms set out his path to his overall power being established, however this question also leads to the debate on wether he upheld the principles of the French Revolution, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity as people like Sutherland believes he has betrayed many of the principles with the majority of his reforms and as a result has betrayed the Revolutionary principles what the new republic were founded upon. Napoleon reformed key aspects of the French electoral and governmental systems in such a way that it lead many to believe he had betrayed the principles of the Revolution. One way in which people disagreed with that statement was because on the surface level the electoral reforms seemed to be a good thing, six million people were entitled to a vote, unlike the Ancien Regime, this promoted liberty and equality. Also another positive...
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...University of Phoenix Material French Revolution and Napoleonic Era Worksheet 1. Essay Explain, in 1,050 to 1,400 words, how the following ideas and ideals influenced the events and motivated the participants in the French Revolution: Liberty Equality Brotherhood Hubris Fiscal irresponsibility Democracy Technology The French Revolution was a quest for liberty, and centered on people who wanted their freedom. They wanted to be treated as equal participants in the community, not as slaves for the royals or nobles. The peasants who represents more than 90% of France’s population, were working for their own families and everyone else as they paid much more in taxes. Brotherhood was the way of everyone coming together as one. Hubris is excessive pride in one’s self, people during the French Revolution did not want to admit they were wrong for what they were doing and that they did not want less entitlement then they had. Fiscal irresponsibility was brought on by the higher debts, and taxes were raised so the government could get out of the finical hole they were in. The democracy was a new construction of power where the politics were giving everyone the chance to be heard and to be equal. Technology at the beginning of the French Revolution was lacking, but as it continued throughout the years it became a resource at war. Liberty was the main goal for the French people, to be free from the poor work conditions they were in. The work environments for the...
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...The French Revolution was a very significant event in the history of France, and in the history of the world. It began in 1789, and lasted until about 1799, when Napoleon Bonaparte named himself head consul of the Directory and took over the French Government. Napoleon then ruled France until 1814, when he was exiled. In the time period between the beginning of the French Revolution and Napoleon’s exile, France had undergone many social and political changes that have permanently affected the way France is today. The French Government was largely affected by the Revolution, in more ways than one. The French Revolution began because the majority of France was fed up with the way King Louis XVI was putting the country in debt and then only taxing the Third Estate, whom didn’t have enough money to pay the taxes. To resolve the problem of debt, King Louis called upon the Estates General, a representative group of all three Estates to discuss the debt crisis. Members of the Third Estate broke off from the Estates General, and took an oath that they would...
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