Napoleons Rule example essay topic

Jason fish Napoleon Bonaparte was a genius, but above that he was a ruthless tyrant, who sought global conquest through waging wars against all of Europe, starting with the smaller European countries. Born in 1769 to a family of nobles, he was in a position of power since birth. Perhaps one of the deciding factors in his thirst for military conquest was the fact that his father placed him in a military academy at the ripe age of 10, and received his officer's commission. At roughly the age of 20 he was an officer in the French revolution. As the revolution came to a close, he was an acknowledged officer, and held much authority over the population of France. By giving the church more power he gained much prestige with the people of France.

Once he attained enough power he appointed himself the emperor. Under his rule all authority would be placed in the hands of paid officials. He also implemented a merit based payment system for the people. His rule of the Napoleon Code is well known for the many changes that it implemented. The Napoleon Code brought the recognition of marriages that were not preformed in the church, as well as divorces. It removed political rights of women that they had worked for over the last few centuries.

Finally the code set a policy for the judicial system that convicts were guilty until proven innocent, which is the contrary of the stance in our current government. Up until this point he had the general public's approval and was embraced by the majority of its citizens. His popularity fell as he began waging war after war on Frances neighboring countries. At the battle of Cape Trafalgar he attacked Britain with the aide of the Spanish forces.

This was the first major loss for Napoleon as both the French and Spanish milit aries were defeated by He ratio Nelson, the commander of the British army. This did not stop Napoleon from continuing his ongoing war with the rest of Europe. After his defeat at Cape Trafalgar, he began winning several wars against such European countries as Sweden, Germany, and Russia. While continuing to move his army throughout the eastern continent, he imposed his beliefs amongst all those he conquered, by abolishing serfdom in all areas which he had defeated. After years of war, even his faithful followers were becoming tired of the constant battles which he waged.

The countries which he now ruled were also upset at the fact that they were being ruled by a foreigner. In June of 1812 Napoleon took his 700,000 men and attempted to wage war with Russia. Several battles were fought and won as Napoleon continued to push the Russian army deeper into the heart of their country. Along the way he would burn fields, and houses to ensure his victory, as well as to avoid base camps that may attempt to flank (attack from a second direction other than directly in front) him.

This lengthy battle took its toll on Napoleons army, however, as a severe winter ensued. Beginning in the summer months, the army was not adequately prepared for such harsh weather, and hundreds of thousands of soldiers in the French army were frozen to death. Were they able to stay warm enough, many more were inflicted with frostbite, and had to have limbs amputated. With his men in shambles, Napoleon retreated to France and was by several armies along the way.

He was defeated many times on this return trip, until finally he reached Paris. In Paris the last of his men were killed, and he was exiled to the isle of Elba on March 1814. While exiled he used his time to gather, men and devise military strategy to return him to power in France. On May 12th of that same year, Napoleon again seized power of France. It did not last long, for the British military was aware of his cunning, and did what was necessary to remove him from the throne. After conceding his defeats, and retiring from his military prowess, he moved to Britain, where he planned to take residency for the remainder of his years.

The British had other plans for him. They exiled him for the last time to Elba, where he stayed until 1821 when he died of cancer. Napoleons rule was met with mixed emotions, and results. As a military leader he was unsurpassed by any general in history. He truly sought to unite a peaceful empire, by introducing new methods of law and education. His laws, while just and fair, had unforeseen consequences, that were felt only after several years.

His main supporters, the middle class, began to struggle with the taxation, and were unable to fund him as they were in the beginning. As the battles persisted he also lost his "edge", and his aggression and valor began to deteriorate. It is feasible to think that after decades of fighting, that one could become burned out on the idea of global conquest. He was a brilliant leader, who gave much to the nation of France, as well as the continent of Europe.

His tyranny was felt by all of Europe, and much of the rest of the world. Though he was seen as a disturbed individual with a single track mind on conquest, he gave much more to the world than history would have you believe.