He is still regarded today as a model of military tactics – Napoleon Bonaparte (French: Napoléon Bonaparte). Born into the lower nobility, he rose to become Emperor of France. How was this rise possible and what made Napoleon special? You can find out here!
Napoleon Bonaparte Summary
First and foremost is Napoleon Bonaparte in the background French Revolution consider. Because his success story began at the end of the French Revolution when he Appointed consul in 1799 became.
So here is a brief recap of what happened during the French Revolution:
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2nd phase – End of the monarchy (1792–1794):
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The Jacobins, under Maximilien Robespierre, demanded the king’s deposition.
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In 1793, Ludwig 16th was executed and the Republic was proclaimed – the reign of terror followed.
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In 1794 Robespierre was executed and the reign of terror ended.
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3rd phase – Road to the Republic (1795–1799):
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This was followed by the rule of the board of directors from 1795.
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Dissatisfaction spread among the people as the economic and political situation did not improve.
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In 1799 Napoleon’s coup d’état of the Directorate took place and he was appointed consul
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Napoleon Bonaparte – Curriculum Vitae
So that you can now imagine how Napoleon made it this far, let’s start at the beginning: The man whom you usually only know as Napoleon today was born on August 15, 1769 in Ajaccio on the island of Corsica born as the second child of Carlo Buonaparte and Letizia Ramolino.
Corsica was sold to France by the Republic of Genoa in 1768. But actually the island fought for its independence.
being Birth Name was actually the Italian spelling Napoleone Bounaparte, because his parents both came from the Italian petty nobility. His father was a judge and initially fought for Corsican independence, but later accepted that Corsica was now part of France.
Napoleon Bonaparte – Education
For Napoleon, his parents saw one military career before. Therefore he attended the cadet school in Brienne from 1779 and from 1784 the military school École roxale militaire, which he 1785 as officer graduated
Napoleon Bonaparte – Road to Power
After military school, Napoleon was able to demonstrate his military prowess during the French Revolution. Included he supported the revolution, he even joined the Jacobins. Through his military skills, he quickly rose through the ranks. But he also had an ulterior motive – through the turmoil of the revolution, he wanted to promote Corsica’s independence. However, Corsican independence did not materialize and his family even had to flee Corsica as he was blamed for the failed independence.
He was also killed after Robespierre’s beheading momentarily imprisoned because of his closeness to the Jacobins. After that he wanted to get his military and political career going again and sought close contact with those in power on the Board of Directors. after it im December 1795 to repeat riots arrived in Paris, Napoleon managed to contain them. As thanks he was to the general promoted.
That board of directors was the last form of government during the French Revolution. It came into force in 1795 and consisted of five members, also known as the Board of Directors.
Shortly thereafter, on March 9, 1796 he married Josephine de Beauharnais. His wife had close contacts with Parisian society, which increased Napoleon’s political influence.
In the course of First Coalition War became Napoleon command on the campaign in Italy (1796–1797). He succeeded in taking Italian territories for France and his reputation among the population increased. He became as folk hero celebrated. The enthusiasm of the people for Napoleon did not diminish even when he returned unsuccessfully from his campaign in Egypt in October 1799.
Detailed information on the coalition wars can be found in a separate article.
Meanwhile, dissatisfaction with the Governing Board grew – it was corrupt and France’s economic situation was unstable. Plans were spreading within the Board of Directors to carry out a coup d’état. Two of the five members of the Board of Directors, Emmanuel Joseph Sieyès and Roger Ducos, enlisted Napoleon’s support for this. At the November 9, 1799 found the coup d’etat instead of.
According to the calendar introduced during the French Revolution, the coup d’etat took place on 18 Brumaire VIII. Because with the abolition of the monarchy in 1792, the French use a new calendar. The French Revolutionary Calendar was intended to clarify the separation of church and state and to renounce everything old.
After the coup, on December 24, 1799 one consular constitution erected and Napoleon, as well as Sieyès and Ducos, were to consuls appointed. The other members of the Board of Directors resigned or were dismissed.
Although the consulate consisted of three members, Napoleon had “First Consul” held power in the new government and was initially to 10 years chosen. He was free to pass laws and appoint ministers. In addition, parliament and referendums were only for appearances – Napoleon was about to establish a dictatorship.
But the dictatorship was not enough for him – Napoleon strove for more. And successes in the Second Coalition War gave him further popularity among the people. At the August 2, 1802 he thus became consul for life raised. This also left him free to choose his successor.
At the December 2, 1804 followed Napoleon’s coronation Emperor. He crowned himself in Notre Dame de Paris. The people had previously voted in favor of the new «Constitution of the First French Empire».
After his successful campaign in Italy, he was May 26, 1805 also to King of Italy crowned.
Napoleon Bonaparte – Reign
Napoleon saw himself as “Emperor of the French” and as popular sovereign as a representative of the people. The people saw Napoleon as a protector who saved the country with his new reforms and the reduction of the national debt.
That’s why he regularly involved the people in his politics through referendums – although that was «more appearance than reality».
Among Napoleon’s most important domestic political decisions was the Code Civilthe am March 21, 1804 came into effect. The Civil Code, too “Code Napoleon” called, that was first civil code of France. The Civil Code placed all citizens equal before the law and guaranteed their freedom. The code also established the separation of church and state and the protection of private property. As a result, the judiciary was also modernized and made more just.
You will also find an explanation of the Code Civil!
France was increasing under Napoleon’s leadership centralized. The country was centrally regulated and unified from Paris.
During his reign, however, Napoleon also maintained his military upbringing. He consolidated his reign with a military dictatorship. Strong military presence should legitimize his rule. The military also helped him with his larger goal: Europe was to become the domain of France.
Napoleon Bonaparte – transformation of Europe
Europe should taken and «French did» will. So while Napoleon was hailed as a folk hero at home, he was increasingly making a name for himself in Europe as a conqueror and bully.
After his coronation as emperor, the other major European powers feared that Napoleon would claim more territories. Thus the founded Third Coalition consisting of Russia, Great Britain, Sweden, Austria and Naples. Bavaria and Württemberg in turn joined Napoleon. Napoleon also emerged victorious from this coalition war.
After his victorious battles, he tied off areas from the losers or assigned them to his allies – Austrian and Italian areas in particular fell to him. So his sphere of influence expanded.
He also left his Relatives rule over the conquered territories. This is how he secured control of Europe. For example, he married his siblings to the regents of conquered territories or simply appointed them new regents.
With the founding of the Confederation of the Rhine in July 1806 also joined German states Napoleon on. The Confederation of the Rhine was theoretically a confederation of 16 states, but in practice the Confederation of the Rhine was more like one military alliance with France. Napoleon was the protector of the federation. At the same time, the Holy Roman Empire dissolved.
Napoleon’s tactics against enemy armies were always the same: he divided up the allies and attacked them individually.
Great Britain However, Napoleon could not dominate so easily. That’s why he left economically against the island nation. Even during the rule of the Directory, France admitted embargoSo a import ban British goods, erect. In 1806 he extended this ban to the entire European continent. He wanted one Continental Blockade (i.e. a sea barrier along the European coast) in order to bring Great Britain to its knees economically. In reality, however, such a lock could not done will.
The gradual end of Napoleon Bonaparte’s power
1811 Napoleon was on the Climax his power. Only Russia was left as a serious opponent. Thus, Napoleon embarked on one Russian campaign. When the French Army 1812 was advancing, the Russian army retreated and destroyed everything that could have been of use to France. This included firewood, fields, etc. This strategy is called “Scorched Earth Tactics” – the French soldiers threatened to starve and freeze to death.
So she had to Grand Army (Eng. “Big Army”), as the French soldiers were called, withdraw. Of 600,000 soldierswho marched towards Russia stayed only 30,000 left – and that, although there was hardly any fighting. be through Fail Napoleon also lost his popularity with the people.
This weakening of Napoleon exploit the other European powers. They started the wars of liberation, to free himself from Napoleon’s clutches.
You can also find more information about the wars of liberation in our article “Coalition Wars”!
There was a new coalition consisting of Prussia, Russia, Sweden, Great Britain and the countries of the former Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation. the Battle of Leipzig from October 16th to 19th, 1813 became the decisive battle. Napoleon faced the German armies supported by Austria, England and Sweden. Ultimately, Napoleon was defeated and abdication forced. This took place on April 12, 1814.
Napoleon Bonaparte Elba
After being forced to abdicate, Napoleon was Exile to Elba banished. Elba is a small island between Corsica and northern Italy.
The victorious powers of the sixth coalition took his place…