Napoleon's Arrogance example essay topic

335 words
What qualities does a powerful leader hold? There are many characteristics that can be listed under "what kind of personality a successful leader has", but some characteristics are indeed apparent and common among numerous leaders of the world. Napoleon, who has always been considered as one of the most victorious rulers in history, is sure to have possessed some of those qualities. However, he must also have possessed a few undesirable traits that probably took part in his demise.

Napoleon's arrogance, invincibility, and un realism were expected to have had something to do with his ridiculous impulses which led to his downfall. There were many instances where Napoleon went out on a limb to achieve something where a sensible man would not. These faulty mistakes can be attributed to Napoleon's arrogant manner. After being victorious in so many battles and conflicts where the odds were against him, it could be assumed that Napoleon became egotistic and conceited about his personal abilities as a leader and his country's capabilities as an empire. As he became invincible and expanded his empire, he could be described as power-hungry, always wanting more and never being content. He had seen so many victories and almost no losses that he believed he was unbeatable in anything, and nothing could take him down.

His arrogance made him so blind, that he neglected to see what a rational man would have seen in studying Britain's naval situation. But Napoleon, in all his triumph, dismissed the fact that he would be going against the most powerful navy in all of Europe when he decided to set up the Continental System. He set up a blockade around Britain in an attempt to worsen their economy, but he didn't realize he was setting himself up for failure. The Continental System hurt France itself more than it hurt Britain, since Britain set up its own blockade against France, and the French navy was overpowered.