Napoleon Bonaparte Essay - 892 Words

Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) was a military and political genius of historic proportions. As Emperor (self-proclaimed in 1804), he established a strong central administration and code of law, consolidating and institutionalizing many of the reforms of the French Revolution. More so than any former ruler, including Louis XVI, Maximilien Robespierre or the Directory, Napoleon brought stability where financial, political, and social turmoil had previously reigned. War had plunged the country into debt and brought about an economic recession. The middle class, or the bourgeoisie, felt strangulation by the nobility and the clergy, preventing them from progressing socially or politically. During the ten years of the revolution, the political†¦show more content†¦In 1795, the National Convention drafted a new constitution forming yet a new governmental system known as the Directory. In the Directory, members of a legislative assembly chose a five-man executive force. However, its leadership used the army to nullify their elections and thus similarly to the dictatorship it tried to replace. Following a series of military defeats in 1799, the Directory lost power to a charismatic and fast rising new general, Napoleon Bonaparte. As the efforts of the Revolution to establish a stable representative government had failed, France replaced it with the rule of a military genius. Initially, Napoleon suggested power be held by an executive board of three consuls. However, unlimited power was soon invested in him alone as First Consul. Under this new system, significant reforms were made in the fields of banking, religion, the legal system, and education. Additionally, Napoleon, after many decisive military victories, established France as an empire, and himself as Emperor. Under his rule, France experienced a time of internal stability, such that had not existed under any of the former governmental systems either before or during the Revolution. Napoleon used his military genius to conquer much of Europe. In the kingdoms he created, the Napoleonic Code was established as law thus abolishing Feudalism and serfdom. New religious reforms were made. In 1801, Napoleon persuaded the Pope toShow MoreRelatedNapoleon Bonaparte2242 Words   |  9 PagesNapoleon Bonaparte was a ruthless killer who hungered for power alone. He sacrificed much in order to contribute a great deal to the world by winning battles and discovering things such as the Rosetta Stone in Egypt. His thirst for control and power cost him everything he worked so hard for consequently leading to exile. The notorious Napoleon Bonaparte was born August 15, 1769, the second of eight children, on the little island of Corsica. The industrial revolution in Britain had already begunRead MoreEssay Napoleon Bonaparte1268 Words   |  6 Pages nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Napoleon was born on August 15th, 1769 in Ajaccio (Capital of Corsica) which is an island 70 miles west of Italy. His parents were Carlo Bonaparte and Letizia Ramolino. They got married when Carlo was 18 and Letizia was 14, this was in 1764. Letizia was the one who was always putting food on the table, Carlo was way to lazy. His father was interested in politics. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Napoleon got sent to military school (Brienne Military Academy) in 1778Read More Napoleon Bonaparte Essay1816 Words   |  8 Pages Napoleon Bonaparte is regarded as one of the greatest military and political masterminds in the history of man. Napoleon’s brilliance led him through extremely successful Italian campaigns, major battles against the Third Coalition and helped him rule politically to keep the gains of the revolution. Napoleon, through his military conquests and political alterations, made France a great nation. Napoleon Bonaparte was born on August 15th, 1769 in small town of Ajaccio on the island of Corsica. HeRead MoreNapoleon Bonaparte Essay1537 Words   |  7 PagesNapoleon Bonaparte has been called a hero by some and a villain by many others. He was the First Consul of France, then the emperor of France, and finally an outlaw. Napoleon had a meteoric rise to power in the late 18th century, and lasted to the early 19th century. He was able to rise to power through his great military victories and he was able to keep his power by fending off enemies in wars and with some reforms. Napoleon started his life good, but different than many French rulers. NapoleonRead MoreEssay Napoleon Bonaparte1290 Words   |  6 PagesNapoleon Bonaparte   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Napoleon Bonaparte is considered to be one of the greatest conquers and captains of modern times. In history perhaps no one person has ever aroused so many intense opposite emotions. Perhaps no one had ever claimed as much of the admiration, fear, and hatred of all men as did Napoleon. Napoleon was a man with many sides. He started many of his challenging voyages and defeats as a young child and they continued throughout his life. He had many accomplishments and manyRead MoreThe Principles Of Napoleon Bonaparte1020 Words   |  5 Pagesimportant characteristics you need as a leader. Napoleon Bonaparte displays both principles exquisitely in his lifetime, as he has had many accomplishments throughout his life. The reason for me choosing Napoleon as my leader is because he had an outstanding life as a military leader and emperor. Napoleon revolutionized military strategies and restructured the government and education systems in France and the countries it cont rolled. Napoleon Bonaparte was born on August 15, 1796, in Ajaccio, CorsicaRead More NAPOLEON BONAPARTE Essay620 Words   |  3 Pages Napoleon was one of the most important figures in European history. As one of the greatest military leaders, Napoleon did many things to modernize the European nations he ruled. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;In 1769, Napoleon Bonaparte was born in Ajaccio, Corsica. His middle class family was of Italian descent. After completing his education, Napoleon went to France to become a solider. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;In Napoleon’s first battle as leader of an army, he became famous. By pointingRead More Napoleon Bonaparte Essay2965 Words   |  12 Pages Napoleon Bonaparte Corsica is a rugged island in the Mediterranean, which lies sixty miles off the coast of Italy. The Corsicans are proud and independent people. In 1768, when the French took over the island from Genoa, an Italian state, the Corsicans rebelled and fought for their freedom. But they were unsuccessful. Their leader, Pasquale Paoli, was driven into exile. Several months later, on August 15, 1769, Napoleon Bonaparte was born in Ajaccio, a major port on the island. He was the second-bornRead MoreNapoleon Bonaparte Essay1928 Words   |  8 PagesNapoleon Bonaparte One of the most brilliant individuals in history, Napoleon Bonaparte was a masterful soldier, and a superb administrator. He was also utterly ruthless, a dictator and, later in his career, thought he could do no wrong. Not a Frenchman by birth, Napoleon Bonaparte was born at Ajaccio on Corsica only just sold to France by the Italian state of Genoa on August 15, 1769.He attended French at the school of Autun and later the military academy at Brienne. He never fully mastered FrenchRead MoreLIFE OF NAPOLEON BONAPARTE Essay2562 Words   |  11 Pagesexplain the rise and downfall of Napoleon Bonaparte I in France. His goal was to conquer all of Europe and throughout his life he nearly succeeded. He rose through the confusion of the French revolution to become Emperor of the French. Napoleon had once said, â€Å"I am the Revolution,† and he never ceased to remind the French that they owed to him the preservation of all that was beneficial in the revolutionary program. (Spielvogel, 2007) â€Æ' Life of Napoleon Bonaparte Arguably one of the most brilliant