Why Is Napoleon Bonaparte Successful

402 Words1 Page
bulb-icon

Recommended: The rise and fall of Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon Bonaparte took advantage of the chaos brewing in France post-revolution and the weakness of the French Revolutionary government--The Directory--to become one of the most powerful men in the history of the world. In 1796, after four years of war, France finally took the fight beyond their borders. It was Bonaparte who took command of French forces in northern Italy during the pivotal battles against the Austrians. Napoleon’s performance here cemented his status as the strong military leader that the weakly-governed France so desperately needed. Even when he failed, he was lavished with praise--despite his failures in the Egyptian expedition, he received a hero’s welcome upon returning to France. As the years went by, the Directory grew

Show More
Related

  • The Cyrannological Hero Of Napoleon Bonaparte: The Tyrannical Hero

    1048 Words  | 3 Pages

    He was a big supporter of the revolution and the Directory and served them well. According to the Salem Press Biographical Encyclopedia of January, 2013: “Napoleon’s remarkable early success was in part a matter of good fortune and in part the product of an unconquerable will and energy that took the maximum advantage of every political and military opportunity” (Rollyson). He was a brigadier general for the revolution, but was imprisoned when Jacobins were taken out of power and Thermidorean was sent into it. He however was soon released. With many great victories in Egypt and a powerful marriage, he was a very known and liked man. Napoleon was able to overthrow the Directory in 1799. Napoleon was a great leader and settled the chaos of the revolution down. He was able to restore France’s relationship with the Roman Catholic Church and the Pope in 1801. He proclaimed himself supreme Emperor of France in 1804. He also gave religious freedom to Protestants and Jews. He also published the Napoleonic Code/Civil Code of 1804. This code established political and legal equality for all adult men; therefore, religion no longer had a prejudice in court or people of authorities. With this code; however, he restricted the freedom of speech and freedom of the media. Throughout his career, he expanded France’s borders to the size of an empire. The only reason Napoleon was not able to take all of Europe

    Read More

  • Oliver Cromwell: A Man of Conviction

    1488 Words  | 3 Pages

    Georges Lefebvre, Napoleon From 18 Brumaire to Tilsit, 1799-1807, (New York: Columbia University Press, 1969). Martyn Lyons, Napoleon Bonaparte and the Legacy of the French Revolution, (London: The MacMillan Press, 1994), pp. 26.

    Read More

  • Napoleon Bonaparte: Restoration After the Revolution

    785 Words  | 2 Pages

    One of the most controversial figures in European History, Napoleon Bonaparte has never ceased to be a generator of debate and analysis among historians, authors, and students. Napoleon has been closely scrutinized by many in attempts to defend or demote his motives, ambitions, and actions as Emperor of France. Nonetheless, those with true qualities of a ruler are few and far between – and Napoleon possessed the drive and ambition to bring these qualities to their full potential. Napoleon was the hero of nineteenth-century France, restoring the country to its former glory after the violence, instability, and turmoil of the French Revolution. Napoleon was the classic underdog, originally viewed as a “second-class Frenchman” due to his Corsican origins, but rising to success based on his own hard work and determination. He demonstrated the most improbable capacity for resilience; although he faced defeat on multiple occasions, he persevered and continually refused to surrender. As well, Napoleon was a protector and enforcer of “Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité” through the promotion of religious freedom and the nationwide application of French laws throughout his rule.

    Read More

  • Was Napoleon A Good Or Bad Leader?

    692 Words  | 2 Pages

    Napoleon Bonaparte was a fantastic leader and commander of the military, mainly because of his great eye for detail and exceptional memory. This way he could spot the flaws of another army and attack that weak point repeatedly until he won. Also with his outstanding memory, Napoleon could remember and recall many different battle tactics and strategies that he or other armies used. He and his military force defeated numerous armies with their skill, and made them part of France’s colony. This way Napoleon made France into a powerful empire with many colonies under his rule.

    Read More

  • Napoleon Betrayed the Revolution

    1330 Words  | 3 Pages

    Napoleon was an outstanding military commander and enjoyed many successful campaigns. Napoleon maintained the Revolutionary syst...

    Read More

  • Napoleon's Failure to Dominate Europe

    841 Words  | 2 Pages

    A ruler's reputation comes from the change that he inflicts upon his subjects, territory, and surrounding lands. Napoleon Bonaparte rose into power during the French Revolution, causing drastic changes not only to France, but to the rest of Europe as well. His domestic and foreign policies were not always successful, but his ability to rule was undeniable. From his rising in power and reform of France, up until his military defeat in Russia, Napoleon succeeded in gaining a considerate amount of power and control.

    Read More

  • Napoleon Bonaparte an Absolute Dictator of France

    566 Words  | 2 Pages

    Napoleon Bonaparte was an undeniably strong leader of France, however he was not truthful to his inferiors who gave him his power. Napoleon believed he was the master of France and that he had complete power of the country. He looked down upon his peers and the other citizens of France. Bonaparte gained his popularity by standing with the common people during the revolutionary period of France but did not continue with the views he expressed during this period when he became Emperor. Napoleon Bonaparte had many views and beliefs that made him an absolute dictator of France including, making every decision himself, being above everyone in the class systems, and manipulating the citizens of France.

    Read More

  • Was Napoleon Bonaparte a Hero or a Villain?

    1362 Words  | 3 Pages

    During the Napoleonic Era, from 1799 to 1815, France became a military power gaining and controlling land throughout Europe. While some historians believe Napoleon Bonaparte was a ruthless dictator, his military accomplishments far outweigh any atrocities he committed. He helped France gain stability after the French Revolution and he also abolished the Feudal contract. Napoleon was a brilliant strategist using military tactics to cause fear and to defeat whatever enemies stood in his way. Throughout his rule, Napoleon continually gained ground, and by the end of his reign, his empire encompassed all of Spain, Italy, and a small portion of land by Russia and Austria. (see map) He is one of the most controversial leaders in history so therefore is one of the most studied strategic minds. He revolutionized warfare through unique tactics and innovative inventions. Even though he displayed characteristics that were villainous, he was the leader France needed to gain stability after the Revolution and therefore was a hero. Napoleon’s need for power and drive to conquer the world was his downfall but how he united the French at a difficult time made him a hero to all.

    Read More

  • Napoleon's Rise to Power

    400 Words  | 1 Pages

    French Revolution brought a great number of great ideas, but ideas are not beneficial unless they are realized and stabilized. The man to stabilize the concepts of French Revolution was Napoleon Bonaparte. He started out as an Italian general and ended up being one of the greatest historical figures. First, Directors requested Napoleon's support while organizing a coup d'etat. Then, Bonaparte fought Britain in order to benefit France. Lastly, he was called to help creating a new constitution and ended up as the First Consul of France. At home, he ruled using flattery, but also he strongly resisted the opposition. Napoleon is a pro-revolutionist because he denied all the privileges of the aristocracy, created a new constitution, and also established the Napoleonic Code.

    Read More

  • The Mistakes of the Brilliant General, Napoleon Bonaparte

    1039 Words  | 3 Pages

    The haste in which Napoleon was put into power after the French Revolution ended caused numerous negative consequences that sullied the efforts of the governmental overthrow. In reaction to Napoleon’s brilliant leading of his armies to victory against royalist forces, the Directory, the acting government, promoted him to general of the French forces that were about to begin a campaign against Austrian forces in Italy (McDougal, 584). Napoleon’s operation began phenomenally, with his armies crushing Austrian forces, causing their retreat and the end of their threat to France (McDougal, 584). However, Napoleon’s...

    Read More

  • Napoleon Bonaparte: A Not Ordinary Man

    1135 Words  | 3 Pages

    One of the bloodiest revolutions in the history, the French Revolution, had end. This revolution had a significant impact to the French society, but it left several horrific and bad effects to the French people, especially for those who were guillotined. Despite of these impacts, there was a man who put the French society to a new beginning. Napoleon Bonaparte, a French military and political leader, gained popularity because he was no ordinary man. His intelligence in his childhood, his heroism, his intellectual views to the new political organization, his aggression in expanding the empire, and his downfall and make him an extraordinary man.

    Read More

  • Master of Opportunity

    1400 Words  | 3 Pages

    The rise of Napoleon Bonaparte is a magnificent illustration of skillful character meeting with overwhelming opportunities to form a supreme leader. His ambition was led primarily by impulse, not a set of ideals or connection to any structure. The vacillating government of France throughout the Revolution provided opportunities which had not previously been available. The opportunities available during the Revolution were mainly in the military. This favored Napoleon because he was mentally able and willing to put in the extra effort to win essential battles. Since childhood, Napoleon had a strong ambitious character that flourished into mathematical skills to help him succeed in seizing opportunities that arose. What he lacked however, was significant ideology. Any choice Napoleon made that involved France, the church, or social class was strictly aimed to gain influence. As a result, France was a mere vessel of power he manipulated to pursue his true goal: supreme power. Napoleon Bonaparte embodied the characteristics of a true opportunist that gained enormous amount of power for himself during the Revolution by translating military success into political matter with little to no regard to the losses of others.

    Read More

  • Napoleon: Hero or Tyrant?

    1475 Words  | 3 Pages

    Napoleon’s military career is what eventually led to his prominence. Napoleon began his military career above most of the other men his age. He rapidly made his way through the ranks eventually gaining a great support system. As the directory leaned more and more heavily upon the military, a coup d’état developed. Because of his military expertise, he immediately became first consul of France. The empire of France was soon to grow once Napoleon was in reign. In the 1790s the French army was near one million men, an advantage in the Austrian wars as well as future ventures. Wars raged with other European countries in the early 1800s. Napoleon was able to beat the continental coalition, thus gaining territory for France. France annexed some of Italy but also controlled states such as Spain, Holland ...

    Read More

  • LIFE OF NAPOLEON BONAPARTE

    2563 Words  | 6 Pages

    Arguably one of the most brilliant individuals and greatest military leaders in history was the former French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. He has also been portrayed as a power hungry conqueror (Chew, 1995). Napoleon dominated both French and European history from 1799 to 1815 (Spielvogel, 2007). He helped remake the map of Europe and established many government and legal reforms. In the states he created, Napoleon granted constitutions, introduced law codes, abolished feudalism, created efficient governments, and fostered education, science, literature, and the arts. His campaigns are studied at military academies all over the world and he is widely regarded as one of history's greatest commanders. The events of his life fired the imaginations of great writers, film makers, and playwrights whose works have done much to create the Napoleonic legend (Schom, 1998). Napoleon’s relative short life is a story of many successes and disastrous failures. The French Revolution had made it possible for his rise as both a military leader and emperor of France. As a military commander Napoleon lead the French Republican Army to several victories over royal forces and rose to power as France’s leader, but ultimately in his quest for absolute p...

    Read More

  • Reasons for Napoleon's Success

    7672 Words  | 16 Pages

    Reasons for Napoleon's Success · One of Napoleon's great strengths as leader was the devotion of his men. His soldiers adored him. · Despite his generally unprepossessing appearance, when he wished to charm he could quickly win over anyone he met, however initially hostile they might be. Within a couple of days he had completely captivated the officers and crew of Bellerophon taking him to St. Helena in 1815, much alarming the British government.

    Read More

More about Why Is Napoleon Bonaparte Successful

Open Document