I believe that there was more to admire about
Napoleon Bonaparte, than there was to despise.
Early
Career
1. As
Napoleon was educated at military school, he was rapidly promoted, and in 1796
he was made commander of the French army in Italy. This showed his incredible
skills in leadership, and quick learning abilities. He pushed to become all he
desired, even though he dealt with very hard times during his stay in France.
He achieved his goals, and worked hard to become all that he is. One can see
why many admire him, to this very day.Middle
Career2. Napoleon
was a great contributor to society. He promised the Bourgeoisie jobs in the
government and the army, and he promoted trade and industry. He placed taxes on
imports to protect French businesses from foreign competition, and he also set
up a national bank. Napoleon created more jobs and made more available food
sources at low prices for workers and peasants. He also allowed them to keep
the land that they had gained during the French Revolution. As one can see, he
contributed much to the people of France.
3. Napoleon
Bonaparte was an extraordinary military hero. He was a genius in the field of warfare, and had one of the greatest
military minds in the history of
warfare. He expanded France from its revolutionary borders to that of an
empire, that stretched all over Europe, from Spain to Russia. For France he improved domestic policy, and
also expanded the territory of France with his many battles won through
strategic warfare. He gave France recognition, and modified the French society
and ultimately, the civilized world.
4. Even
though in 1805, Napoleon’s army was outnumbered by the Prussians and Austrians,
because of Napoleon’s quick thinking and strategic mind, he defeated the
opposing armies in the battle of Austerlitz. In many other battles that were
fought and won by Napoleon, he would use his military experience and tactics to
predict his enemy’s attacks, and defeat them no matter the odds. No wonder many
look up to Napoleon and his brilliance on the battle field.5. One
of Napoleon’s great achievements was the Legion of Honor, which established an
honor which he could reward citizens for their loyalty, services, and
contributions to society. Because of the Legion of Honor, the people of France
would work harder to improve the economy so they would be eligible to receive
this honorable and impressive reward. Napoleon thus helped the French, and also
the country of France by promoting the Legion of Honor.
6. One
of the many contributions of Napoleon, and maybe even this greatest
accomplishment, was his civil code to grant freedom of religion. The code also
gave male French citizens freedom from arrest without due process, equality of
taxation, and the right to choose one’s work. In a time where society was full
of discrimination, Napoleon liberated and offered Liberty, Equality, and
Fraternity to the Jews, and the Protestants.
He also reopened the churches that
were closed for years, showing how much he cared about religion, and the
people.
End
Career
7. It is true that at the end of his final
career, Napoleon had destroyed most of his army, and suffered a terrible
retreat. In the end, he made an enemy of Russia and obliterated France’s stock
of horses. He underestimated the power of nature, and by doing so, shattered
his reputation. Despite all of this, Napoleon’s contributions were far greater
than this one failure. He may have ended his career in a bad position, but
because of his achievements, he almost had the free world under French rule.
Every great leader makes mistakes, and Napoleon is no different. Napoleon
didn’t feel fit, and ended his career with dignity, which any man or woman can admire.Conclusion:
Although some individuals believe that Napoleon is
not a hero, but a tyrant, because of his foreign policy that killed many people
due to wars and mistakes made by Napoleon himself, these opinions could not be
more wrong. Never in the course of history have there been great achievements
and contributions without a few losses along the way. Napoleon’s foreign policy
did not only kill innocent lives, but it expanded France, and allowed the people of France to gain Nationalism.
One must sacrifice in order to achieve greatness. These lives were necessary
sacrifices in order to better the country of France. He contributed much to
French society, creating his civil code, and the Legion of Honor, which is
still is use to this very day. Because of his great military intelligence, he
expanded France, creating an empire, almost ruling the free world. By winning
so many key battles for France, he was seen as a hero by the French, and was
well respected all throughout Europe. If
Napoleon was not as successful as he had been, many countries would not be as
they are, to this very day. With his many contributions and accomplishments, he
not only modified France, but also the entire civilized world, which is alone,
a great achievement. With that being said, Napoleon is not only a contributor
to modern society, but a historical legend, that will live on forevermore.Weird
Facts:
1. The
national flag of Italy was designed by Napoleon Bonaparte.
2. The
British did not release the body of Napoleon Bonaparte to the French until
twenty days after his death