Document C explains that Napoleon believed in better education for France and thought better education would help create a stronger military. Napoleon Bonaparte was a hero for France because he believed in better education for the people of France, he wanted to get rid of the tyrants of other countries to better the lives of people under their rule, and people had civil rights, which they didn’t have prior to his reign as
This was a step back to the increased rights women had during the revolution. Napoleon had yet again restored power in the men. He had given the French people some liberties to refrain from future revolutions because he needed the loyalty of the French people in order to be able to conquer the world. Instead of liberating the people of France, he had put them under the rule of yet another government (this was reversing the ideals of the revolution). He enforced the strict embargo of the Continental System to prevent the expansion of England essentially started the War of 1812.
Following the Reign of Terror, France was ruled by a corrupt five-man governing body called the Directory, which was overthrown by Napoleon Bonaparte through a coup d’état. Napoleon, a military general, rose to power through a series of military conquests and eventually became the First Consul of the French Republic. The French people viewed Napoleon favorably, as his military and political genius would likely lead to the creation of a prosperous and united France. Moreover, they believed that he would uphold the ideas they had fought for during the French Revolution: liberty, equality, and fraternity. While Napoleon stabilized and united French society by supporting the liberty of his people and ensuring equality of opportunity in education
Napoleon wanted to bring slavery back. He was stated to be a very racist man. Shannon states that Napoleon often referred to Bedouins, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Africans as "savages" and notes that when the French revolution abolished slavery that the policy was not fully implemented (cite). Napoleon thought he was right and just for enslaving the people of color for they were below white man. In his mind, he felt he was doing the white man a favor.
Also a valid point Napoleon had accomplished is the complete renovation of the banking system in France. The system established a new currency and line of credit that helped the government finance various military actions and enforcement of comprehensive legislation. Historian Ellis notes that “a prominent feature of the whole system was stability of service at the top of the key financial departments” (67-68). Capital had been a key feature Napoleon had to deal with in order to financially support the multiple invasions and blockades around the European continent French troops were responsible for. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Napoleon’s adversaries believe all those good deeds can not overshadow the crimes against humanity Napoleon committed for the hunger of European dominance.
Taking advantage of his rising popularity, Napoleon became the ruler of France and eventually the ruler of an empire. Napoleon Bonaparte had a positive impact on France and Europe due to the military, political and economic stability he restored to France, the laws he put in place, the reforms he introduced to the European countries he conquered and his improvement of the education system. After a time of uncertainty in France brought about by the French Revolution, Napoleon restored the stability of France through the military. France had experienced a time of military failure during the 1790’s when other European nations declared war on France. Napoleon emerged in this time as a skilled soldier and tactician.
Altogether, the advances made by Napoleon changed the course of European history, inspiring other European countries to fight for independence over tyranny, by appearing as a hero to some and a tyrant to others. To many in France, Napoleon was viewed as a hero with great power. Napoleon was an inspirational leader of his men. In Document 1, Napoleon addressed his army before they embarked on a campaign. He promised to lead them into “the most fertile plains”.
One of them is how they treated relationships with other countries. Kamehameha loved to trade and gain new resources, so he monitored the trade deals Hawaiians made and maintained good relations with countries such as Britain. On the other hand, Napoleon did attempt to form a temporary peace with European nations such as Britain, but the peace was unsteady and did not last long, and war resumed afterward. The second difference is how they grew or extended their existing empires. Kamehameha, as mentioned before, extended his power using trade and by making Hawaii into a port city, while Napoleon focused on extending his military power.
After the French Revolution, a Corsican artillery officer, named Napoleon Bonaparte, became the emperor of France in 1804. After playing a significant role in trying retake the French port of Toulon, occupied by the British, he was appointed general at the age of 26 in 1793. This marked the beginning of the Napoleonic Era, which would change the course of European history for centuries. However, despite claiming to be a strong supporter of the French Revolution, Napoleon mostly undermined the goals of the Revolution by violating the Declaration of the Rights of Man, insisting on returning to principles of the Old Regime in regards to women, the imposition of taxes and the re-establishment of the social elite. Nonetheless, Napoleon still supported the main goals of the Revolution by establishing the Civil Code and supporting the peasantry by lowering bread prices.
The French Revolution ended when Napoleon Bonaparte, a military genius, stepped in and dismantled the Directory, which promoted middle class interests, and helped with financial crisis and food shortages. Napoleon crowned himself emperor of France, and made a new social order called the Napoleonic Code. Although there may be many reasons he reversed the spirit of the French Revolution, he modernized and changed the political and social construct immensely, for the good of France. The main trait that Napoleon is known for is his genius military mind. He studied at a military school and was an officer by the age of 16.