Napoleon Bonaparte: Is Napoleon A Tyrant Or A Hero?

Taking advantage of the people’s desire for strong leadership, military mobility, and political forces that emerged from the French Revolution, Napoleon seized power. He was a very active and revered ruler, implementing several internal reforms that unified the power of the national state and created a fairer justice system. With the passage of the Napoleonic Civil Law Codes, Napoleon reinforced the ideology of equality among all men (not yet women). However, Napoleon did little to bridge the class divide. He limited civil liberties of his constituents through content censorship and virtual oversight.

Napoleon spread enlightenment ideas that benefited the people in France. He created the Napoleonic code, which was basically the first written document of laws. That meant that the judge could not change anything, but the laws applied to all citizens equally and protected their rights. He gave people religious tolerance, which means people had religious freedom. He also created a system of meritocracy, giving positions based on people's talents and not to the ones that are higher classes.

Napoleon Bonaparte rose to power through a radical republic produced by the french revolution. He was able to do this through his immense military success and the resulting support from the population. He had painted himself to be a war hero, and the public believed it willingly. His subsequent downfall from power fittingly came from his major military losses. During the french revolution, Napoleon was a supporter, from afar, and let that influence his policies during his reign as Emperor.

The Civil War reshaped ideas and beliefs Americans once had and molded them into understanding that all people men, women, blacks, and whites are all created equal. In the “Gettysburg Address” Abraham Lincoln shows that the idea of everyone being equal is strongly supported. For instance, Lincoln says that 87 years ago our fathers presented on this new land, a new nation, bringing forth something new in liberty, and dedicated to the idea that all men are created equal (Lincoln, sent. 1). This shows that

People elected other people that they trusted to go represent them in government. Ideas that were formed by the enlightenment philosophers were used in the new government. The French, however, did not make significant progress toward ending absolutism and instead were subject to another absolute ruler immediately after the revolution. After the French revolution, Napoleon Bonaparte became emperor. In this role, Bonaparte had absolute power over France.

Therefore, Bonaparte changed the French currency to the franc de Germinal, a form of silver. This new coin solved problems brought by inflation and continued to be the French currency for over one-hundred years. In closing, Napoleon Bonaparte can continue to be characterized in many different lights. Although he showed cruelty and confidence in his conquests, Bonaparte saw a need for change in his conquered kingdoms. Through these changes in education, economics and law, a new way of perceiving Napoleon Bonaparte is brought to the surface.

When it comes to Napoleon there are two views you can have. He was a hero, a champion of the revolutionary ideals who almost united Europe under one flag. He was a demon, a villain who betrayed the revolution that he came into power through, and he dealt more damage to it than all of the ancien regime combined. Some major figures in European history have had the former opinion, Charles De Gaulle, while others have had the latter opinion, Ludwig van Beethoven. Personally, when I think about what happened before, during, and after the revolution, as well as the basic causes and the core of the revolution, I have to agree with the later opinion despite my deep and heartfelt admiration for both Napoleon and his accomplishments.

The French Revolution at the end of the 18th century was a major event in history, and there are differing opinions on whether or not the revolution was successful. I believe that the French Revolution was successful because the goals of the revolution were achieved: a representative government was established, equality between the Three Estates was increased, and the country as well as the lives of its people were improved. Success can have many definitions, but I would define it as achieving one’s goals. Since this happened in the French Revolution, I believe that it was successful. One of the main goals of the French Revolution was to abolish the absolute monarchy in France and establish a constitutional monarchy, and this goal was achieved through the Constitution of 1791.

It was only after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–1871 and the founding of the Third Republic (1871–1940) that most of France 's later colonial possessions were acquired. A hallmark of the French colonial project in the late 19th century and early 20th century was the civilising mission (mission civilisatrice), the principle that it was Europe 's duty to bring civilisation to benighted peoples. There are many reasons why France wanted to create an empire: Intellectually, ( including speaking and writing French, earning a decent living and displaying good moral standards) economically, financially and for religious and national reasons. According to Jules Ferry, France, as a superior country, had the right to take its culture and civilization in other countries. This is defined as France’s “mission civilisatrice” that took place in continents such as Africa and Asia.

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.