Napoleon Bonaparte

1319 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The rise and fall of Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon Bonaparte/ Napoleon I, is considered one of the greatest military leaders in history. He was the emperor of France and he also conquered much of Europe. From an early age Napoleon showed signs of being a great leader. Even as a child he was nicknamed “Little Corporal”, because of his undeniable courage and determination. In 1798 he sat forth on one of his major expeditions in Egypt. Napoleon and his soldiers defeated Egypt and they continued on their journey. Many expeditions later, Napoleon invaded Russia and thus began the downfall of Napoleon. This particular expedition lasted a very long time and two thirds of the army died from: hunger, fatigue, and dehydration. Sadly, in 1814 Napoleon was exiled to the island of Elba. Napoleon was exiled because his troops had been overpowered by Russians. Napoleon I conquered much of Europe, and continued being a leader after being exiled.

Napoleon Bonaparte was born on August 15, 1769 in Ajaccio, France. He was the fourth child of 11. A child of Carlo Buonaparte and Letizia Romolino. His father was known for his Corsican nobility. After the annexation of Corsica by France in 1769, Carlo received the same rights and privileges as the French nobility. In January 1779 a young Napoleon left elementary school and was sent with his older brother Joseph to the College of Autun in Burgundy. In May of the same year he was transferred to the more “fashionable” College of Brienne this was also a military school, even though Napoleon left his brother stayed at Autun. Due to Napoleon's small stature he was given the nickname of the "Little Corporal". At Brienne, Napoleon received a amazing military and academic education, in October 1784 he was granted an appointment to the École Milit...

... middle of paper ...

...f his undoubtable courage and determination. In 1798 he sat forth on one of his major expeditions in Egypt. Napoleon and his soldiers defeat Egypt and they continue their journey onward. Many expeditions later Napoleon invades Russia and begins the downfall of Napoleon. This particular expedition lasted a very long time and two thirds of the army died from fatigue, hunger, and dehydration. Lastly, in 1814 Napoleon was exiled to the island of Elba. Napoleon was exiled because his troops had been overpowered by Russians. Most of Europe was conquered by Napoleon I and continued being a leader after being exiled.

Work Cited

“Napoleon, I." Encyclopedia of World Biography

“The French Revolution Napoleonic Era” By Connelly, Owen pg’s. 203-204

“The Age of Napoleon” By Henderson, Harry pg.78-80
“The War of the Two Emperors” By Cate, Curtis (1985).

Show More
Related

  • Napoleon

    638 Words  | 2 Pages

    Nationalism is the devotion of people to the interests of its nation or the love of one's country to stay independent. Nationalism played a major role in the downfall of Napoleon in that he wanted an empire and his opponent's wanted independence.

    Read More

  • DBQ On Napoleon Bonaparte's Rule In France

    673 Words  | 2 Pages

    Napoleon Bonaparte ruled in France from 1789 to 1815. Napoleon came to power in 1789 and immediately became a powerful figure in the French government. However, some thought Napoleon was such a great leader. The Napoleonic Empire started to grow France’s territories. Some might have believed that Napoleon was too eager with his rule, while losing and failing to succeed against the power of England, in an attempt to blockade their trade, and of Russia, where he led his army to a defeat and retreat back to France. Even in his success over Spain, the battle still costed Napoleon and his army in men and resources. Napoleon was mostly viewed as a powerful and militaristic leader in some aspects, but others saw him as a coward and terrible leader in other ways.

    Read More

  • How much does Napoleon owe to the French Revolution?

    1006 Words  | 3 Pages

    Being a part of a small noble family, Napoleon found he was able to attend a school in mainland France. He eventually found himself at Brienne, a school where his Corsican background and lack of French nobility caused him great hardship and stress from other students. This would plant the seeds of hatred for nobility inside Napoleon that would eventually lead him to destroying noble privilege based on birth in his empire....

    Read More

  • Napoleon

    1086 Words  | 3 Pages

    The above engraving was part of a propaganda campaign directed at both English and French audiences. What was the drawing intended to show the French? Why would they be prepared to believe some of the picture?s more fanciful aspects?

    Read More

  • The Battle of Waterloo

    1749 Words  | 4 Pages

    Napoleon established himself as the leader of France and ambitiously worked to make France the most powerful country in Europe. In 1799, Bonaparte carried out a coup on the First Republic of France government and installed himself as the ruler and first Consul.1 Eventually, he would go on to make this a lifetime position and even establish himself as the first Emperor of France. Britain and its Allied forces of Dutch, Belgian, German, and Prussian soldiers recognized Napoleon's growing strength and declared war on France, in 1803. The ensuing Napoleo...

    Read More

  • Should Napoleon Bonaparte Be Considered A Hero?

    1017 Words  | 3 Pages

    Napoleon was not only a great leader, he was also a military genius. As a military genius, Napoleon won many battles to expand France and was always welcomed back to France as a hero. His use of strategic warfare throughout many battles allowed him to be seen as a hero not only in France but all of Europe. Although his army was outnumbered by the Russians and Austrians on December 2, 1805, Napoleon's brilliant strategies resulted in a defeat of the opposing armies in the Battle of Austerlitz.

    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

    745 Words  | 2 Pages

    The British shipped Napoleon to St. Helena, a remote Island in the South Atlantic. There he lived in lonely exile for six years writing his memoirs. Napoleon had died in 1821 of a stomach cancer. Napoleon is mostly known as a tyrant now, but some people believe he is a hero. He’s done too many mistakes to keep his spot as a hero, but enough to make him a tyrant. That is why is mostly called a tyrant now.

    Read More

  • Napoleon Bonaparte

    1396 Words  | 3 Pages

    Before you can get into how he became a military genius you have breakdown how is life really was before his military career began. Napoleon was born in Ajaccio, Corsica, on August 15th 1769 to Carlo Buonaparte, a lawyer and political opportunist, and his wife, Marie-Letizia Buonaparte. The Buonaparte's were a wealthy family from the Corsican nobility, although when compared to the great aristocracies of France Napoleon's kin were poor and pretentious. Due to his parents connections he was able to enter the Military academy in Brienne in 1779. He moved to the Parisian Ecole Royale Militaire in 1784 and graduated a year later as a second lieutenant in the Artillery. When the civil war broke out the Buonaparte’s fled to France and adopted the French version of their name Bonaparte. When the political situation in France flipped around, Napoleon was tried for treason, but if not for his roots in politics, he would have been executed but his families connections saved him from death. In 1795 Napoleon became a hero again and helped fight the revolutionary forces off. As a result of that, he grew to be one of the most respected military leaders in France.

    Read More

  • Napoleon Bonaparte

    1280 Words  | 3 Pages

    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 many defeats that affect the world in which we live. Napoleon plays a very big part in history.

    Read More

  • Why Is Napoleon Bonaparte Considered A Tyrant

    557 Words  | 2 Pages

    Napoleon was an emperor, military officer, husband, and father to many. He ruled France before being exiled and lived a long life, leaving behind a lasting legacy and impression that most people will not forget.

    Read More

  • Napoleon - an enlightened despot

    1003 Words  | 3 Pages

    Enlightened despotism is when there is an absolute ruler, in some cases a tyrant, who follows the principles of the Enlightenment through reforms. Permitting religious toleration, allowing freedom of the press and speech, and expanding education are a few main guidelines to being and enlightened despot. Napoleon I is often referred to as one of the greatest enlightened despots. Although, he did not follow the ideas of the enlightenment entirely, he managed his country in a way that he maintained complete authority as well as many of the gains of the French Revolution. Yes, Napoleon did want to do a few things for himself, but he also ruled for the majority in most cases, promote government-funded education, and supported many other enlightened ideas. But, most importantly, Napoleon did what he thought would make his country stronger.

    Read More

  • Napoleon: Hero or Tyrant?

    1475 Words  | 3 Pages

    Napoleon Bonaparte was an interesting ruler in that he was compromised of attributes of both a tyrant and a hero. Napoleon had a strong following throughout his reign and even during his two exiles. He was the emperor of France between 1799 and 1815, following the fall of the Directory. Despite the efforts of the French Revolution to rid the country of an autocratic ruler, Bonaparte came to power as Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte I in 1804. He claimed that he preserved the goals of the Revolution, which can be easily argued as his rule became more dictatorial as it progressed. Despite his departure from some of the gains of the Revolution, he overall was a hero for the French people. Through his military ventures, political changes and social reform, Napoleon proved himself as a hero. This is not to say that there were aspects of his reign that were tyrannical, but he was overall beneficial for France.

    Read More

  • Napoleon

    401 Words  | 1 Pages

    When we think of Napoleon, we think of massive military conquest comparable to the Roman Empire. However, there are also the numerous reforms he made to domestic policy during his reign of 1799 to 1815. There are three main viewpoints relating to his domestic policy. The first is by Godechot who believed Napoleon "changed the history of France and the world". He thought that Napoleon's policies truly benefited France. However, a contrary viewpoint is made by Seward who thought Napoleon was a demagogue who had an "obsession with power". A third median of the two extremes was proposed by Soboul. Soboul thought that Napoleon advantaged France in some ways but hindered in others.

    Read More

  • Napoleon Bonaparte's Internal Reforms

    986 Words  | 2 Pages

    Napoleon Bonaparte is one of the most famous figures in French history for the importance of his internal reforms. However, he remains primarily in global memory as one of the greatest military commanders in history. Indeed, Napoleon Bonaparte delivered more battles than Alexander the Great, Hannibal, or Caesar. His campaigns covered all Europe from Spain to Russia, without forgetting the East with Egypt and Syria. The French Emperor entered the prestigious capitals of Europe, Milan, Vienna (twice), Berlin, Madrid and Moscow.

    Read More

More about Napoleon Bonaparte

Open Document