... The great French military leader Napoleon Bonaparte had initially capitalized on the changes of the French Revolution to improve the lives of French citizens. But over time, Napoleon's lust for power overcame his good economic, political and military accomplishments, and his transformation into a selfish dictator led to his fall. Napoleon was born on 15th August 1769 at Ajaccio on the island of Corsica, he was the second son (having 7 siblings) of a lawyer who had minor connections to the aristocracy and was far from wealthy (Dugdale). His family was radical in outlook and as a young man he strongly identified with his Corsican heritage. Thanks in part to his mother’s adultery with the French military governor Comte de Marbeuf he began his military education at Brienne military academy and later in 1784 at the Military school in Paris, and he worked hard to complete his studies in a further year rather than the required three years (Dugdale). This was the natural choice of service for the young Bonaparte as he was gifted at science and mathematics, which were essential skills for any artillery officer of the time (Dugdale). The young Napoleon spent much of the next 8 years in Corsica supporting the Corsican rebel Pasquale Paulo who had been a patron of Napoleon's father. When the revolution broke out the Bonaparte family fled to France and Napoleon became opposed to Pasquale. He would quite likely have been condemned to obscurity had not the revolution allowed for those...
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...lieutenant in the French Army. Napoleon continued to rise to power while the French Revolution began to rage in 1789. The French Revolution also allowed Napoleon to rapidly gain power and high ranking. One of Napoleon’s biggest moves was the coup d'état led in 1799. In this, Napoleon seized power in France and eventually declared himself emperor in 1804. Napoleon’s military and political success was made possible by the French Revolution. As it was such a turbulent time in history, it allowed for Napoleon...
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...Napoleon and the French Revolution Name: Institution: Professor: Napoleon and the French Revolution The French Revolution had the following ideals “Equality, Liberty, as well as Fraternity,” even though the approaches that were employed to attain these objectives were excessive (Brown, 2007, p.139). For instance, around 40,000 people were executed in that Reign of Terror. Napoleon, the French army officer, got hold of the French government in 1799 through a coup de'tat, and he wanted to restore peace in France through bringing the Revolution to an end. In order to accomplish this, Napoleon had to be in total control: this made him rule as a dictator. The French revolution eradicated the privileges that had been given to the noble class and detached the church from the state leading to the establishment of the French Republic. The revolution ideology inspired the whole Europe’s intellectuals among them being Napoleon Bonaparte, who ascended to the position of the Consul, the first of its kind in the newly formed republic of France, On the other hand, Napoleon was conscious of the fact that he would have to grant the French citizens some of their freedoms as well as rights that they were seeking for during the Revolution. According to Connelly (2012), this was crucial in gaining the trust of the people and preventing the onset of yet another Revolution. It is, therefore, accurate to assert, "Napoleon stabilized and brought together the French society, yet he supported...
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...Lisa Rojas Jeff Johnson Civilization 2/HUM2052 Napoleon Out of the chaos and confusion of the French Revolution, one man arose who would change the course of French and European history. This man has been called everything from a military genius and heroic soldier to a delusional dictator and paranoid executioner. Whatever one’s opinion may be, one thing is certain: Napoleon Bonaparte redefined post-Revolutionary France and, in turn, redefined the idea of what it meant to be a military dictator. To say that there was chaos and political unrest during the French Revolution is a huge understatement. After decades of oppression amidst a feudalistic society, the country peasants revolted against wealthy landowners and the aristocracy. The gap between the wealthy and powerful and those who were less fortunate was enormous, and the majority of Frenchmen would no longer tolerate living amidst poverty, hunger, and sickness while the French aristocracy lived the life of luxury off the taxes they imposed on the impoverished. After the uprising, France quickly fell into political unrest and financial disaster, with different men rising to power on nothing more than their own aspirations or “reigns of terror”, a la Robespierre. France was spinning out of control and nothing seemed to stabilize society or wield control on the population. The French were desperate for a hero, someone who would come and not only save their dying country, but also reinstate their dignity, power...
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...Having known Napoleon from youth, Louis Antoine Fauvelet de Bourrienne had a rare and close relationship with him and if there’s an opinion he makes clears it’s that the future ruler of France rose to power from a combination of luck and opportunity that he clearly understood was his only chance at prominence. What isn’t as clear is what spurred him to forgo the decision to maintain a peaceful republic and the reasoning behind Napoleon’s war across Europe recognizes the strategist he really was rather than how is...
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...In 1787, Napoleon and the people of France began to fight what would later be known as “The French Revolution”, it was Napoleon’s rise to power that brought victory. Yet, years later they were back under a monarch, and a revolution started again. Napoleon’s revolution not only brought forth the idea of a revolution, but proof that revolting against a monarch was possible. Looking a Source 1, the first you notice is the flag. The bleu, blanc, et rouge of the flag of France was a rallying point for the revolutionaries. It provided common ground, and something for people to associate with their home. Flags have history of representing their countries, and the French flag was no different, providing a feeling of National pride for whomever saw...
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...Beginning with the separation of the Estates General, the French Revolution was a huge political, social, and economic upset that occurred in three parts: the First Revolution, the Second Revolution, and the Thermidorian Reaction with Napoleon’s era. Each section benefitted a different part of France’s vast class system and was detrimental to others. While the First Revolution was most beneficial for the bourgeoisie, the Second Revolution helped the sans culottes, and the Thermidorian Reaction and Napoleon helped the wealthy classes again. The First Revolution of the French Revolution was based around the Enlightenment thinker Locke’s ideas. He believed that there should be consent of the governed and that all citizens have the rights...
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...AP COMPARE AND CONTRAST ESSAY GRID name(s) Jason SNAPSHOT: Compare and Contrast The French & Haitian Revolution |INTRODUCTION | | | |Historical context (what, where, when) | |Haitian revolution & French Revolution (1789-1800’s) | |Thesis similarity | |Inspired by the enlightenment | |Thesis difference | |France overthrew monarchy (internal) Haiti overthrew imperialist power (external) ...
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...of an individual? Many would agree that geniuses are a combination of both intellect and their accomplishments achieved. An abundance of names would come to one’s mind when speaking of geniuses: Leonardo Da Vinci, Albert Einstein, Bill Gates, and Stephen Hawking. But one name that seems to slip the minds of many is none other than Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon is a figure in history that is very controversial; some view him as a hero of the people while others view him as a tyrant and the devil incarnate. However, none can argue with the accomplishments that Napoleon achieved over a long career. He took France and ultimately saved it from itself; he improved the nation with his domestic policies, victories in battle as well as giving the French a global identity and a sense of pride. Therefore, Napoleon was a genius despite the minor evidence that showed otherwise. Napoleon was a genius military leader. As a young boy, Napoleon was enrolled in Brienne-le-Château, a military academy (Wikipedia) he was only nine years old at the time. A few years later, Napoleon was promoted to the Royal Military Academy in Paris (PBS). After graduating the academy, Napoleon started out as nothing but a lowly...
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...extraordinary military leader and a great reformer. His domestic policy continued many reforms of the revolution. Through his wars he expanded the political boundaries of Europe. Napoleon’s positive contributions: In 1802 Napoleon, by popular vote became First Consul. Then in 1804 he declared himself Emperor of the French. Napoleon obtained absolute power. His domestic policy continued many reforms that the revolution had started. Napoleon came up with a law code that brought together many reforms of the revolution, and combined them into a single legal system. It was called the Napoleonic Code and was his greatest accomplishment in government. It recognized that all men were created equal and granted religious toleration, as well as a person’s right to work in any occupation that they are qualified for. Napoleon believed that the man should be in control of the family and household. But Napoleon did make many good reforms, for example, he imposed a law that made it mandatory for all citizens to pay taxes. This greatly improved the French economy. But it didn't stop there, Napoleon created a national bank for France, where tax money was deposited and paper money was issued. He also put together government-run schools. Napoleon preserved the idea of religious toleration. This was good for Napoleon because he did not lose any support of people in the church. Negative Effects of Napoleon’s Rule: There were deaths of hundreds of...
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...The French Revolution started in 1789 and ended in the late 1790’s. It represented a time in history where Napoleon Bonaparte ascended to power and all his escapades occurred. There were many ideas and ideals that influenced the French Revolution that affected the way European power changed and the changed the European nation. Of these ideals and ideal, there was a group of them that all related to each other. Liberty, equity, and fraternity (brotherhood) were statements that were said a lot and usually together during the French Revolution, yet they each had their own meaning and ideals in the overall Revolution. Liberty in the French Revolution was the idea of the citizens not being oppressed, especially from government (“The ideas,” n.d.). During the French Revolution, the King was signing orders that would put citizens in prison without a trial or due process. In order for the French people find liberty from the King and his tyranny and oppression, the French people drew up a new constitution in order to have more freedoms within the country, along with making Napoleon their ruler to remove the king from power. Equity was another ideal that was powerful during the French Revolution. Equity was about having all members of France being represented in all facets of government. During the revolution, the members of the Third Estate wanted to be equal of those in the Second Estate when it came to government representation. By pushing for the equality in government, the Third...
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...state and head of government; his or her powers are not limited by a constitution or by the law. With the power of the people and the creation of a democracy, the superior rule of the monarch would be limited, if not abolished, and the monarch would act as a figurehead, if allowed. In regards to a person’s personal freedom within the French realm at the time, the common people lived very rough lives, due to the neglect of their monarch. It was not an easy life for the French people under King Louis XIV’s rule, and it was not made better by his view on governing. This is shown through his lack of genuine care for his people, over taxation, and wars of the time. Although with Louis XIV on the throne, France had evolved from savage medieval ways to a more refined, exquisite living, evident from his palace in Versailles. The French people were probably proud of what he had made of France; it is a strong and rich country, its culture emulated by the world. By the end of his reign, the government became bankrupt, but the country was not. France was a very prosperous and good place to live. It was in the following century that things got so bad the French eventually revolted to gain their...
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...Material French Revolution and Napoleonic Era Worksheet 1. Essay In 250 to 300 words, explain how the following ideas and ideals influenced the events and motivated the participants in the French Revolution: • Liberty • Equality • Brotherhood • Hubris • Fiscal irresponsibility • Democracy • Technology The ideas of fiscal irresponsibility and hubris are hand in hand when it comes to the French Revolution because the country was in a state of financial crisis thanks to their King, Louis XV and continuing under the rule of his son Louis XVI. Funds were lacking and loans were in place with interest rates and fees that were going to be near impossible to pay back which threatened the structure of the countries financials. Taxation was going to be the only out in the eyes of the King but needed aristocracy approval. The people began to lose faith and felt as if the King was attacking their liberty with his tax exemptions which were unfair, and lead them down the path in search of civil liberties, equality of the people and ridding of the ranks, and a want for endorsed democracy. Eventually all titles were abolished and the declaration of the rights of man and citizen was bestowed upon the people. The king however was just part of the problem, with foreign war and the fiscal crisis, and then inflation as well. The idea of having a democracy gave all men a change to be declared free and equal. The technology used during the revolution such as the...
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...Ivo Lindemeyer Mr.Drezel global 21 revolution Essay In 1789, the flame of the French Revolution sparked the beginning of the battle for liberty, equality and fraternity for the colonies in San Domingue. Bringing about the Haitian Revolution. Both of these revolutions are characterized by the oppression bestowed upon the people by their governments, their enlightenment inspired ideals and their success upon overthrowing their government. According to Crane Brinton’s theory, A government is in the beginning of a revolution once it enters the incubation stage. This stage is characterized a sense of government injustice and a rigid division of social classes . Both of which were experienced by the public of both revolutions. in document 3, it illustrates the state system prior to the french revolution. The clergy (first state), and nobility (second state) where all dependent on the exploitment of the Bourgeoisie (third state). like document 4 describes “ the inhabitants observed that they alone have been charged with the mass of taxes, while their seigneur, who farms much of the land in the parish, enjoys total exemption.” This then lead on to be one of the leading causes of the french revolution. A comparison to this was the rigid social classes in latin america. The peninsulares and creoles controlled the land and made up about 23% of the population. while the lower classes were made up of people of mixed races such as mestizos and mulattoes or “castas”...
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...The French revolution began in 1789 in response to a food shortage, an unfair taxing system, the exhausted tension of living in an absolutist monarchy, and as a result of having called a meeting of the estates general to vote new taxes for the king but not allowing the voice of the third and the largest estate to be heard. In this essay, I will provide evidence from a four-part documentary and the French declaration of the rights of man and citizen that shows that Napoleon both subverted and extended the principle ideas of the French revolution during his reign. Napoleon subverted and extended the ideals of the French revolution in many ways. One subversion of the ideals of the French revolution is natural rights. During the French revolution, many philosophes came to the conclusion that not only did natural rights exist, they apply to individuals and the monarchy. One such right listed in the declaration of the right of man and citizen written by the national assembly is article 11. This article states that “the free communication of ideas and opinions is one of the most precious of the rights of man. Every citizen may, accordingly, speak, write, and print with freedom, but shall be responsible for such abuses of this freedom as shall be defined by law” which is essentially the freedom of speech the press and...
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