Their Ports To British Ships As Napoleon example essay topic

A ruler's reputation comes from the change that he inflicts upon his subjects, territory, and surrounding lands. Napoleon Bonaparte rose into power during the French Revolution, causing drastic changes not only to France, but to the rest of Europe as well. His domestic and foreign policies were not always successful, but his ability to rule was undeniable. From his rising in power and reform of France, up until his military defeat in Russia, Napoleon succeeded in gaining a considerate amount of power and control. In France, Napoleon used his power to make many reforms in all aspects of life. He incorporated a national bank, public schools, and constructed new roads.

With these changes, he also enforced the Concordat of 1801 and the Napoleonic Codes of Law. While the Concordat focused mainly on Church affairs, the Code Napoleon covered a broad spectrum of new ideas and reforms. Code Napoleon made France "more peaceful at home than it had been for many years", (Modern Times 58) and it was one of his "most lasting domestic achievements". (World History 641) It was made to have one code of laws for all of France, instead of many separate legal systems.

The Civil Code recognized each individual's equality and privileges. Some other changes included the supporting of religious toleration, right of divorce, and civil marriage. Private property, inheritance, and business laws were affected as well. Promotion for civil and military offices was based on ability only. The new laws basically applied to the bourgeoisie and landowning peasants, so the clergy and nobles did not benefit much from this act.

Also, the Civil Code limited some of the rights of women. Divorce was made more difficult for them, and after marriage, the husband had control of their property. "In lawsuits, they were treated as minors, and their testimony was regarded as less reliable than that of men". (World History 641) Also, there were "limitations on personal freedom" such as "press censorship, the use of spies, and the imprisonment of extremists". (Modern Times 58) "In his domestic policies...

Napoleon both destroyed and preserved aspects of the revolution. Even so, it appears that "for the time being", Napoleon kept the people "fairly well satisfied". (Modern Times 58) Napoleon accomplished much during his era. "The name Napoleon recalls to mind great battles won, mighty countries humbled, and the near establishment of a union of all Europe under the supreme leadership of Napoleonic France". (Modern Times 59) But "as others had discovered before him... no nation can rule Europe for long". (The World in 1800 p 89) Later came his ultimate downfall- the Russian Campaign in 1812.

While the Continental System was enforced, Russia was an ally of France, so Napoleon expected Russia to support the "anti-British blockade policy". (Modern Times 62) Later, when he found that Alexander I of Russia "opened Russian ports to British commerce", (Modern Times 65) Napoleon wanted to punish him because other countries might follow Russia's act. He brought an army of six hundred thousand men to Russia with limited supplies, expecting a simple victory for himself. However, the invasion failed due to the lack of food, the cold weather, and the fact that the impossibly large army never had a chance to face the Russian one. The Russians knew that they could not beat an army of that size, so they "simply retreated before them, destroying everything as they went". (Modern Times 66) Russians burned their own land to prevent the army from finding food.

After Napoleon arrived at Moscow, he found that a fire had eradicated the whole city. He remained there for a few weeks, hoping the Russians would surrender, but then he retreated due to the food shortage and cold. When he got out of Russia, only one sixth of his army remained. This defeat led to the War of Liberation, Napoleon's true downfall. After he returned to France, Napoleon could not replace his former troops or build a large enough army in time to beat the great alliance that Britain, Austria, Russia, and Prussia had formed, which finally defeated him. Napoleon was forced to abdicate his throne and live on the Island of Elba, where although he escaped, he never again returned to full power.

He was later again defeated and exiled to the Island of Saint Helena as "a prisoner until his death in 1821". (Modern Times 66) All great rulers have successful and unsuccessful times. Although Napoleon proved himself to be a strong ruler, almost controlling all of Europe, he is also seen as the one who failed on his grand mission. Napoleon's downfall was partially due to his domestic and foreign policy. "The system adopted by Napoleon... must be counted among the causes of his fall". (The World in 1800 p 89) Also, his ambitions and confidence were too high.

"Had the emperor been more reasonable, he might have stayed on the throne". (The World in 1800 p 89) Napoleon may have failed to dominate Europe, but he nevertheless left a mark on the French Revolution and European history. The Battle of Nations at Leipzig pitches 320,000 soldiers from Russia, Prussia, Austria and Sweden, with financial backing from the British, against 170,000 French troops. Napoleon's military brilliance has brought him many victories against similar odds (if not similar numbers) in the past, but after the debacle of the invasion of Russia, he has to rely on an inexperienced army of new recruits against this well-equipped four-nation alliance.

He is heavily defeated, losing more than a third of his army. 'People accustomed to great victories know not how to support a day of reverse. ' Napoleon One of the most important naval battles in history ends in victory for the British, despite the death of the British admiral, Lord Horatio Nelson. Napoleon's fleet of 33 French and Spanish ships under the command of Pierre-Charles Villeneuve is ordered to break out of Cadiz harbour, where they are blockaded by a British fleet. This they do but are immediately engaged by Nelson, who secures a decisive victory. The British do not lose a single ship, while the French lose 18.

It is estimated that some 14,000 French and Spanish seamen are killed - 10 times more than the British losses. Villeneuve is taken prisoner by the British but later released; he commits suicide after his return to France. Defeat at sea a month earlier at the battle of Trafalgar is followed by Austerlitz, perhaps Napoleon's greatest victory. Persuading the Russian and Austrian armies lined up against him that his forces are weaker than they actually are, he lures his numerically superior enemies into a trap. As they push forward, committing more and more troops against an apparent weakness in the French lines, Napoleon launches a counter-offensive with troops he was holding in reserve, splits the enemy forces in two and then routs them. About 27,000 Russian and Austrian troops are killed or wounded - more than three times as many casualties as the French.

The Russians pull back into Poland, and the Austrians agree to yet another peace treaty, ceding yet more territory to France. Sir Arthur Wellesley lands in Lisbon with a British force to support Portuguese and Spanish resistance to France. Spain and Portugal have been forced to close their ports to British ships as Napoleon tries to impose the Continental System across Europe. But Wellesley - later to become 1st duke of Wellington - routs the first French forces he encounters on the peninsula, marking the onset of the six-year Peninsular War. This will put a severe strain on Napoleon's chain of command and impose a major drain on his resources. Napoleon is victorious against Austria in the battle of Wagram.

Austria declared a 'war of liberation' against France in April, but has found itself fighting alone. In October, it is forced to agree to a new peace - and to surrender new territory to Napoleon's Grand Duchy of Warsaw. Napoleon embarks on his biggest mistake: the invasion of Russia. He crosses the river Niemen on 24 June 1812 with a 'Grande Arm " ee' of almost half a million men.

But his problems start straight away - bad weather, lack of food and water, the Russians' 'scorched earth' policy as they retreat, sickness and losses to the enemy all reduce his numbers. By the time he fights his way to Moscow, he has just 100,000 soldiers left. Paris surrenders to the Coalition armies fighting Napoleon. The French army had inflicted a number of defeats on the Coalition since the Battle of Nations at Leipzig in 1813, but each one had taken its toll and the French were ill equipped to stem the Coalition's advance. Napoleon's plan had been to retreat with his remaining forces to eastern France where he would rebuild his army, leaving the defence of Paris to its garrison. With just 20,000 men and ill-motivated leaders, however, the city is no match for the forces ranged against it.

Defeat at Montmartre leads to the surrender of Paris, and the next day Alexander I of Russia and Frederick William of Prussia enter in triumph. Napoleon suffers such a conclusive defeat on the battlefield that 'Waterloo' enters the international lexicon as a description of a failure from which there can be no recovery. He had intended to defeat the Prussian forces under General Bl " ucher before turning his attention to the British army under Wellington. Bl " ucher is not beaten but only delayed, however, and his arrival at Waterloo comes in the nick of time to turn the course of the battle. Now, finally, there is no way back for Napoleon. See also 'War against the French'.

Anxious for a son and heir, Napoleon divorces his one-time great love Jos " ephone, replacing her within a few months with Marie Louise, daughter of the Austrian emperor. On 20 March 1811, she duly provides him with what he seeks. The relationship is far from being merely pragmatic, however; there seems to be real affection between Napoleon and the 19-year-old princess.