Preview

What Is Napoleon A Villain

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
612 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
What Is Napoleon A Villain
Born into a poor but well-known family in 1769, Napoleon grew up to be hardworking, strong and self-confident, independent, and even bold and obnoxious as a youth. Napoleon attended French military school, where he was able to prove his strength and mathematics, and at sixteen, received his deputation as second lieutenant. Some would say that Napoleon was a hero and others would say that he was a villain. In my eyes, I see him as a hero due to: he was able to turn a very troubled social and political situation in Post-Revolutionary France around in one year of coming into power, he was very smart and some even claimed that he was a genius, and because he had a way with people and convincing them that helped his military ability become legendary. When the revolution broke out in 1789, Napoleon was already familiar with Enlightenment ideas and he disliked the aristocratic pretensions of those around him. During this time, in 1793, he was able to attract attention to himself during the recapture of …show more content…
For example, Napoleon was able to control five letters to five different secretaries all at the same time. He was able to alternate among them, never losing his train of thought. He was able to do this for up to fourteen hours at a time and through many sleepless nights. The only person in history that was known to be able to keep up with him was his Chief of Staff, Louis Alexandre Berthier. He rose to such power through his ability and talent, which was unprecedented for Europe during that time. Napoleon often looked for ability and talent in those around him, and he didn’t care if that person was a common or an aristocratic. Napoleon believed as long as they were good at what they did then he was able to look past the differences that made them a common or an aristocratic. He believed that anyone could achieve what they wanted as long as they worked

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Napoleon Bonaparte Quotes

    • 2014 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Napoleon Bonaparte is one of history’s greatest military commanders. Napoleon was a French military general and political leader, who grew famous and important during the French Revolution. He became the first emperor of France, serving from 1804 until 1814, and again in 1815, and his motive for military expansion changed the world. Napoleon changed military organization and training, and reorganized France’s education system. He is one of the most celebrated leaders in history, and is one of the most important people in modern world history.…

    • 2014 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Throughout time, the history of Napoleon is retold over and over again. His conquests of Europe are legendary. He is considered one of the greatest military leaders, his victories are widely known, yet people seem to forget his losses. Napoleon had many domestic and diplomatic/military achievements, some were great and others were his worst blunders.…

    • 444 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Napoleon Bonaparte Tyrant

    • 1041 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Born in 1769, Napoleon Bonaparte is one of the most famous people of French history. Being immersed in the military from the age of 9 and on, it is no wonder that he became one of, arguably, the best military leaders of all time. But, the question comes about, was Napoleon a hero or a tyrant? Along with the many good things that Napoleon did to help the people of France after the French Revolution, came some very, very bad things. In no time he went from being loved and adored by the people of France to being absolutely loathed. Some people argue that even with all the bad things that he did, Bonaparte was still a hero, but how can somebody who did so many terrible things still be a hero? Napoleon was a tyrant because of his belief in equality for only half of the…

    • 1041 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Napoleon Bonaparte is one of the most well known leaders in history. When you say Napoleon Bonaparte, most people know who you are talking about. Napoleon is mostly known for his reign as the Emperor of France, and his Napoleonic Wars that earned him a reputation as one of the greatest military leaders of all time. During his reign as Emperor, many argue that he was the founder of the modern state. Martyn Lyons, a history professor at The University of New South Wales who specializes in Napoleonic history, agrees. Lyons claims that some reasons Napoleon is the founder of the modern state were adopting merit based promotions and codifying laws, which shaped the new state that emerged from the French Revolution (Lyons 1994, 77).…

    • 1366 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    For many reasons, his rise to 1798 could be seen as due to his own skill and talent. His skill and talent was seen from very early on in his childhood. Due to his Corsican upbringing, he was always seen as an outcast during his years in education. This subsequently led to Napoleon being very withdrawn, and spending a great deal of his time studying. He excelled in maths, which greatly helped him in his future military career. This early appearance of his skill and talent paved the way for his future, and his rise to 1798. After excelling at his normal studies in school, Napoleon went onto Paris to study in a military college, and became the first Corsican to graduate. This natural military skill also goes on to help him further throughout his rise.…

    • 1402 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Napoleon Bonaparte was he last of the enlightened despots because he preserved the ideals of the despots before him. Napoleon stated "My policy is to govern men as the great number wish to be governed. That, I think, is the way to recognize the sovereignty of the people." This principle is a direct principle of enlightened despots, the code of equality. He governed in this manner because he wanted his people to support him when it came time for war. Many policies of Napoleon seem to many of us as Bergeron puts it, "rigid and oppressive" but in the time those were the exact tactics that Napoleon used to swiftly rise to power. Another strategy Bonaparte used to get the support of the people was nationalism, for the first time in over a decade he made French people proud to be French. After years of civil war he made it an honor to serve under the French flag. All of these strategies come directly from Enlightenment ideals, thus making Napoleon Bonaparte an enlightened despot.…

    • 626 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Eulogy of Napoleon

    • 788 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Napoleon Bonaparte was a lifelong friend of mine and also one of France’s most successful Emperors. He had an abundant source of energy, and a surprising ability to make quick decisions even in the most pressured situations. These traits and his keen intelligence allowed him to influence the people of whom he ruled over and gain their support. He was truly a supernatural, supporting the fact that he finished three year classes in only a year in school, became a second lieutenant straight out of school, and won many wars being in control of France and its artilleries. His accomplishments followed a significant pattern, all of which led up to him being the Emperor. His genius appeared when he saved France from royalists in Vendemiare. I find it truly amazing how he went from being 9 years old in Military school, to second lieutenant, to Brigadier General leading all artilleries, and to finally becoming Emperor after winning many significant battles. He continuously showed his integrity and eagerness to have everything in control through all his actions. Napoleon Bonaparte is easily the most eager, intelligent, charismatic, successful, and hardest working leader of all time.…

    • 788 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Napoleon limited who had power and rights in society in a few ways. Napoleon created the Napoleonic Code, which guaranteed everyone equal rights except for women and black people. Because of the code, it was controlled who had rights. Also, Napoleon created schools for boys ages ten to sixteen, called lycees. While many people saw…

    • 420 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Napoleon

    • 389 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Napoleon was indeed a great man, in that he made a significant impact on the course of history, although with both positive and negative consequences. He was one of history's greatest military commanders and succeeded in conquering most of Europe and did much to modernize the nations he ruled. He also introduced the Code Napoleon, which brought unity, order, progress and reform to France and Europe and the Code is still used today.…

    • 389 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Napoleon Hero or Villian?

    • 374 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Napoleon, the great French leader, is often seen as a hero, but if you look closer there is great evidence showing that he is a villain. He seemed to try to improve the country greatly, but really he was just trying to improve his reputation, a very selfish thing to do. For example he adopted a set of laws called the Napoleonic Code. These laws were put in place to give the country a uniform set of rules and eliminate many injustices, but really these limited individual freedoms, something that was greatly stressed before during the early stages of the revolution. It took away the freedom of speech, press, and restored slavery. I don’t believe that Napoleon had the people in mind when he made these laws; I think he wrote them to keep the people under control so he could rule them with less effort and (again) improve his reputation. If a leader rules without any uproar from the citizens then he must be the most brilliant, heroic ruler ever, right? This is exactly what I thought his intentions were. Though a very smart idea this was, it was morally wrong and unjust. In addition Napoleon tried to put other countries against each other. For example in 1803 after he failed the Saint Domingue expedition he sold the Louisiana territory to the United States. His reason was to “punish the British, the sale assures the forever power of the United States, and I have given England a rival that will, sooner or later, humble their pride.” I think he choose to do this so that when all the other powerful countries were fighting he could rise to the occasion and “take over the world.” Not a very heroic thing to do… Finally Napoleon manipulated other people to get what he wanted. In a way he brainwashed them. He created a huge empire that he could barely sustain so he had to threaten the leaders, from countries like Portugal, Prussia, and Sweden, with military actions. This was kind-of cowardly. Clearly…

    • 374 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Napoleon Bonaparte was a very influential character in the history of France. When Napoleon rose to power, many reforms were made regarding the social system, economics, education, and political aspects. For some, the reforms made under his rule were for the better of the people, but others viewed the reforms as negative changes. Nonetheless, Napoleon will always be thought of as a powerful figure in the French Revolution. A leader from the beginning, Napoleon was sent to France for military training at age nine.…

    • 977 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Was Napoleon Bonaparte a hero or a tyrant? Did the good of his actions outweigh the bad? Napoleon Bonaparte was a French military leader who rose to power during the French Revolution. He eventually conquered most of Europe and named himself emperor. I believe that Napoleon was a tyrant for a few different reasons. These include that he was egotistical, selfish, and untruthful.…

    • 479 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Napoleon

    • 540 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Napoleon rose to power during the aftermath of the French Revolution. He staged a coup d'état and installed himself as First Consul, later becoming the emperor. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest military commanders of all time because of his success in his wars. Napoleon sought to spread ideas of the French Revolution but contradicted them in many ways.…

    • 540 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Was Napoleon A Hero?

    • 230 Words
    • 1 Page

    Was Napoleon a hero? Of course, he was definitely a hero. A hero is defined as a person who is smart, caring, considerate and is admired or idealized for courage or outstanding achievements. Napoleon was a hero because he made French into a center of advanced learning, founded the first Bank of France and the Napoleonic Code. To make the French become the center of advanced learning. Napoleon built the University of France in 1808 and the Lycee Louis-le-Grand as a public secondary school in Paris. He changed the policy that everyone can go to school, which made more people educated, which made French became a civil center. In addition, he founded the Bank of France in 1800. During 1790, weakness in the economy caused a drop in foreign trade…

    • 230 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Napoleon has been described as the last of the “enlightened despots,” or as a “child of the enlightenment.” These statements can be considered accurate because Napoleon Bonaparte reconstructed France during the French Revolution. Even though he became a military dictator, before that he was able to equalize rights, create a new banking system, and build up the government, education system, and churches.…

    • 643 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays