Napoleon: Leader or Tyrant?
Some view Napoleon as a great emperor and others, a tyrant.
Biography
Napoleon was born August 15, 1769, in Ajaccio, Corsica, France. He promoted military organization and established the Napoleonic Code. In Corsica, much local resistance took place. His father later converted to the French that eventually caused him to enroll his sons, including Napoleon, to the College d'Atun. Later during Napoleon's lifetime, he attended a military college in Brienne for approximately five years before moving on to the military academy of Paris. He graduated early from military college and was appointed second lietenant of artiallery. In 1786, he returned to Corsica. There, he became enemies with Pasquale Paoli, his father's former ally, and moved to France, where his family name was changed to Bonaparte. Serving for the French military, he showed support for the Jacobins. After the death of Robesspierre, his interest turned to the Directory, a form of government that took control of France in 1795. He was then considered commander of the Army of the Interior and a trusted advisor for the Directory for Military organization. In 1796, Napoleon commanded the army of Italy. He a numerous amount of wars against the Austrians thus expanding the French territory. Napoleon's image weakened when his army got destroyed in the Battle of the Nile. Eventually, the French army made lots of French successes.
Emperor or Tyrant?
Based on his recent accomplishments and actions, some consider him as an emperor or an excellent revolutionary idealist. He fought for the citizens of France. His military knowledge made him a great strategist in order to contribute to France by expanding French territory. He had a very positive reputation by winning numerous amounts of battles. Napoleon's reforms gave birth to the Napoleonic Code which disallowed privileges based on birth, allowed freedom of religion, and gave government jobs to considerable people. This was one of the factors that gave the third estate rights and freedom. Despite him being a forceful leader, he granted people rights and freedom even in terms of religion. When the Directory became despised, Napoleon got public support to overthrow them. Doing so, he was considered a revolutionary.
However, he was also considered a tyrant by others. It was alleged that his primary objective was to destroy the opposing force rather than to just seize land or territory. He did not concern for the benefits of his men; instead, he focused on his reputation and power by putting his soldiers at risk in a countless number of wars. Also, some think that he did not fight for France, but for himself. He wanted more military power and subjects, such as ships, soldiers, and money. During his expedition to Egypt and the Middle East, he arrested and killed countless numbers of people, even those who were infected by the plague.
I would consider Napoleon as a revolutionary idealist. Despite him killing innocent people and being inconsiderate to his soldiers, he has contributed a lot to France. With the birth of the Napoleonic code, it gave rights and freedom to the French people and sparked democracy. Also, he spent time and effort in studying military strategy so he would change France and possibly expand territory. At last, he was revolutionary because he overthrew corrupt governments for the sake of the citizens oppressed by them.
Written by: Tyler Silva
Work Cited
Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2014. <http://www.biography.com/people/napoleon-9420291>.
"Napoleon Bonaparte French Revolutionary or Military Dictator." By Can Tran. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2014. <http://www.humanities360.com/index.php/napoleon- bonaparte-french-revolutionary-or-military-dictator-5-65495/>.
Napoleon. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2014. <http://www.mrodenberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Young-Napoleon-on-Horse-by-David.jpg>.
Napoleon. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Dec. 2014. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/staticarchive/3c4842b181d458da9b2b7e0869fc0c01ed95e12a.jpg>.
Napoleon was born August 15, 1769, in Ajaccio, Corsica, France. He promoted military organization and established the Napoleonic Code. In Corsica, much local resistance took place. His father later converted to the French that eventually caused him to enroll his sons, including Napoleon, to the College d'Atun. Later during Napoleon's lifetime, he attended a military college in Brienne for approximately five years before moving on to the military academy of Paris. He graduated early from military college and was appointed second lietenant of artiallery. In 1786, he returned to Corsica. There, he became enemies with Pasquale Paoli, his father's former ally, and moved to France, where his family name was changed to Bonaparte. Serving for the French military, he showed support for the Jacobins. After the death of Robesspierre, his interest turned to the Directory, a form of government that took control of France in 1795. He was then considered commander of the Army of the Interior and a trusted advisor for the Directory for Military organization. In 1796, Napoleon commanded the army of Italy. He a numerous amount of wars against the Austrians thus expanding the French territory. Napoleon's image weakened when his army got destroyed in the Battle of the Nile. Eventually, the French army made lots of French successes.
Emperor or Tyrant?
Based on his recent accomplishments and actions, some consider him as an emperor or an excellent revolutionary idealist. He fought for the citizens of France. His military knowledge made him a great strategist in order to contribute to France by expanding French territory. He had a very positive reputation by winning numerous amounts of battles. Napoleon's reforms gave birth to the Napoleonic Code which disallowed privileges based on birth, allowed freedom of religion, and gave government jobs to considerable people. This was one of the factors that gave the third estate rights and freedom. Despite him being a forceful leader, he granted people rights and freedom even in terms of religion. When the Directory became despised, Napoleon got public support to overthrow them. Doing so, he was considered a revolutionary.
However, he was also considered a tyrant by others. It was alleged that his primary objective was to destroy the opposing force rather than to just seize land or territory. He did not concern for the benefits of his men; instead, he focused on his reputation and power by putting his soldiers at risk in a countless number of wars. Also, some think that he did not fight for France, but for himself. He wanted more military power and subjects, such as ships, soldiers, and money. During his expedition to Egypt and the Middle East, he arrested and killed countless numbers of people, even those who were infected by the plague.
I would consider Napoleon as a revolutionary idealist. Despite him killing innocent people and being inconsiderate to his soldiers, he has contributed a lot to France. With the birth of the Napoleonic code, it gave rights and freedom to the French people and sparked democracy. Also, he spent time and effort in studying military strategy so he would change France and possibly expand territory. At last, he was revolutionary because he overthrew corrupt governments for the sake of the citizens oppressed by them.
Written by: Tyler Silva
Work Cited
Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2014. <http://www.biography.com/people/napoleon-9420291>.
"Napoleon Bonaparte French Revolutionary or Military Dictator." By Can Tran. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2014. <http://www.humanities360.com/index.php/napoleon- bonaparte-french-revolutionary-or-military-dictator-5-65495/>.
Napoleon. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2014. <http://www.mrodenberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Young-Napoleon-on-Horse-by-David.jpg>.
Napoleon. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Dec. 2014. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/staticarchive/3c4842b181d458da9b2b7e0869fc0c01ed95e12a.jpg>.