Napoleon Bonaparte is one of the most significant military leaders the world has ever known. He rose to power during the French Revolution and took over much of Europe, leaving a lasting impact on history. Napoleon had strategic brilliance, which led him to multiple triumphs. However, it is important to acknowledge that his actions had a detrimental effect on Europe and nations across the globe. His military campaigns caused destruction and loss of life, and his goals inevitably led to his downfall and the economic destabilization of Europe. Napoleon became so obsessed with staying in power that he no longer cared for his troops or innocent civilians. He began to make reckless decisions that had a severe impact on how countries in Europe were run. This essay will explore why Napoleon was a villain. …show more content…
He wanted power and disbanded civil liberties. Napoleon abolished the right to a jury trial and enforced laws that limited freedom. He also established a secret police force to stop conflict and resistance, which caused fear among the French. These actions show that Napoleon was more concerned with maintaining power and control than protecting his people's rights.
By initiating wars and military campaigns, he indirectly caused the death of millions. He also enforced political and social reform in the countries he took over, such as the Napoleonic Code, which was a seed of destruction to Napoleon's empire. The invasion of Russia in 1812 was the most harmful, killing over 500,000 of his soldiers. Despite the apparent danger posed by trekking through a freezing landscape, he continued to advance. Even after being defeated by the Russians, a lack of materials and familiarity with the territory meant most of his soldiers died on the return
During the time, Napoleon was actually an ally to Alexander I, the current leader in Russia. Many arguments arose between the two countries, specifically over Russian trading and they were both competing over Poland. Napoleon decided that the only way to put Russia in their place would be to attack. Napoleon marched his numerous army into Russia, unaware of what he had gotten himself into. Napoleon had gone into Russia without background knowledge of what he was truly up against.
Another example of Napoleon going to extreme lengths to show off his supremacy was in document three where he is depicted as riding a horse in the spotlight (Document 3). The picture portrays Napoleon after crossing the Alps and defeating the Austrian army. His composed demeanor while riding a wild, rearing horse shows how he is bringing control to a post Revolutionary France. In summary, Napoleon was more of an imperial dictator than a democratic reformer because he was hungry for
In Document A, there is a map showing the land Napoleon conquered for France, Napoleon and his military conquered a lot of land for France and it even explains in Document B that Napoleon conquered so much land because he wanted to eliminate the tyrants of other countries to better the lives of people under their rule. Napoleon cared about the happiness and well being of others. In Document E the Napoleonic Code explains “All Frenchmen shall enjoy civil rights.” During the Reign of Terror and the Revolution Frenchmen had no civil rights and had no protection from the government. Napoleon reintroduced civil rights to France after their rights had been taken away from them.
He and those of his associates who were truly virtuous would impose such a government, using the machinery of the Reign of Terror to oppose any person who was even rumored to oppose him and the revolution. From 1793 to 1794, thousands of people were beheaded in a guillotine. The Reign of Terror effectively squelched any opposition. This whole chapter of the French Revolution was the ground on which Napoleon was able to lay a foundation for seizing
Napoleon Bonaparte was a ruthless dictator who rose and fell during the turbulent French Revolution because of his singular combination of ego, toxic masculinity, and authoritarian methods. He was first hailed as a military genius for his victories, but his fortunes changed when he lost battles while defending the very nation he had fought to rule. After attending military academies and rising through the ranks to finally hold the prestigious title of General, Bonaparte developed an unquenchable craving for power. But eventually, his stratospheric ascent and unavoidable collapse resulted from his unbridled ambition, his bloated ego, the continuation of toxic masculinity, and totalitarian leadership. Napoleon possessed one of the most notorious egos in the world.
This forced the Hapsburg emperor to make peace. This is just the beginning of the battles that he has won for his country. Over time, he started to gain more power over the people. Then he felt that he had so much power as to crown himself as emperor of France. A quote that supports this idea is when, “Napoleon took the
Was Napoleon a hero or a Villain? Napoleon, was a hero because when he came to power he created lots of reforms. Some of these reforms included public Education, and public works. Later Nationalism spread among the people, because People were very proud to live in France because of what he accomplished. The Napoleonic code was Napoleon’s Greatest Civil Achievement which was a big success for him.
France was invaded and bonaparte exiled to Elba, he returned after less than a year but was defeated at Waterloo in June 1815. Once again he was exiled this time to St Helena where he died in
Napoleon impacted both Europe and the world in a number of ways. When thinking about Napoleon’s impact, we have to realize that he did not necessarily intend to have the impacts that he did. Napoleon had less of a direct impact. He did indirectly impact the Americas in important ways. When his armies conquered Spain and Portugal, they disrupted those countries’ ability to rule their colonies in Central and South America. This helped cause the wars of liberation in those areas in the 1800s.
Napoleon Bonaparte was a very powerful man ruling over France during the early 19th century. To some he is a hero who guided France to a better state. Others consider him to be a military dictator that lead to the demise of France. It is undecided among us and so given the evidence I have decided that Napoleon was, in fact a hero for the French.
The retreating russians had set fire all across the city in an effort to deprive napoleons soldiers of any supplies they could use. Napoleon impacted France and other countries by creating the Napoleonic code as well as selling the Louisiana purchase. Nap wh Napoleon impacted the world by making the Napoleonic code which formed the basis of French civil law and by the selling of the Louisiana purchase which has formed the united states as we know it. Napoleon was a great historical figure who lead the people of France, but in the end his ambition got the best of him and lead him to his downfall. Napoleon once said " if you build an army of 100 lions and their leader is a dog, in a fight the lions will die like a dog.
He created the Code Napoleon, which guaranteed equality under the law, regulation of the economy, absolute security of wealth and private property, and the end of feudalism (Pagano “Napoleon Domestic Program Good”). The Code Napoleon showed his desire for lower class citizens, such as poor farmers, to have an equal opportunity to succeed. His actions to regulate the economy alleviated the issues with taxing the Third Estate faced. Napoleon extended liberty even to those he conquered. In a speech to troops, Napoleon said that “there is one condition you must swear to fulfill - to respect the people whom you liberate...your property, your religion, and your customs will be respected” (Document 1).
Atleast he actually opened up education to boys even for those that could not even afford it. Napoleonic code was something that eliminated many injustices. But also it limited free speech and press, and brought back slavery. Soon after that Napoleon elected himself as emperor. Which was actually kind of cool because he sent out a thing for everyone to see if it was a good idea for him to become an emperor or not.
Goodlad, Graham. “NAPOLEON AT WAR: SECRETS OF SUCCESS SEEDS OF FAILURE?” History Review no. 65 (December2009): MAS Ultra- School Edition, EBSCOhost (accessed November 3,2016). Napoleon played an extensive role in the history and development of the military art.
Napoleon Bonaparte has always been seen as a tyrant, but he has made many positive impacts on the world. Napoleon rose to power after the French Revolution. There, Napoleon would become a genius general and later he would appoint himself Emperor of France. Napoleon Bonaparte used his power to impact the modern world through the Napoleonic Wars, the sale of Louisiana Purchase to the United States of America, and the Napoleonic Code.