Life of Napoleon Bonaparte
     Few individuals have come along that have totally captured the imaginations of their
historians. Perhaps the most known of these characters is Napoleon Bonaparte. The part of his
life often found most interesting was his modest beginnings. Here, like some Hollywood movie
is the tale of an exceptional man whose intelligence and rise from the bottom is eventually
defeated by his flaws, which cause him to fall from power.
     He was born in Corsica just off the coast of Italy. France had annexed Corsica in 1768,
officially making him a French citizen. His parents, although from an aristocratic family and
considered nobility, were anything but wealthy. His father's small income was not enough to
fulfill his dreams of sending Napoleon to France to attend military school. He wrote a letter to
the king, Louis XVI, for a scholarship for Napoleon. The king had set up a fund to pay for
Napoleon's attendance of military school. Upon arrival in France young Napoleon had to first
overcome the obstacle of learning to speak French, since it was the only language spoken in the
military schools. To do this he would first have to attend a school in Autun before going to
military school.
     When he finally arrived in Brienne to attend his military school, he soon discovered that
his defeat of his hardship was spoiled by the criticism he received because of his Corsican
upbringing and accent. But nothing could break Napoleon's strong will and determination.
Instead of giving up, he persevered and gave up socializing to put forth whatever effort he could
into his studies. His desire for conquest and omens of his great future often surfaced at school. In
the winter he eagerly applied his military science knowledge into skillfully executed snowball
fights with his “squadron” always being the victors. He also spent hours studying the conquests
of rulers such as Julius Caesar and Alexander the Great. This severe study, however, did not
make him a brilliant student except in math where he had a natural talent. At age 15, Napoleon
graduated from Brienne and was accepted into the prestigious military college in Paris, receiving
an all-expenses paid scholarship. While at military college, he learned of his father's death from
stomach cancer. His father's final startling words were a revelation that would predict Napoleon's
future: "Where is Napoleon, my son Napoleon, whose sword will make Kings tremble and who
will change the face of the world?" Napoleon finished military academy two years ahead of
schedule to help out his poor mother and graduated as a lieutenant. He made his way through the
ranks of general, military commander, major general and finally at the age of 26 he was made
commander-in-chief and was given full command over all soldiers garrisoned in France.
Napoleon reorganized the entire Army and prepared them for invasion at any moment. Although
committed, Napoleon was anything but heartless. He gave high posts in the army to his friends
and family, and promoted soldiers he had fought with before to higher ranks. Napoleon even
found the time to marry a young woman named Josephine de Beauharnais. Napoleon's lust for
conquest ensured that he didn't settle down. His ambitions were always growing greater.
     In 1799 France's governing body, The Directory grew weak and unsteady. The Austrians
recaptured Italy and were among several nations threatening to invade France. If this wasn't
enough competition, Napoleon learned that the Royalists were planning on restoring the
monarchy. But Napoleon used this conflict to his advantage and decided it was correct time to
take over The Directory, which he still served. He used his influences in the government to gain
political backing. His two advantages over his opponents were that he was a national hero for his
many victories in battle and he had full command of the army, in case it was necessary. Some
often criticize his motives, saying he was driven more by ambition than for the love of his
country. Napoleon appeared before the Council of the Ancients - the upper house of
representatives - to make a passionate speech asking to be put in charge of the entire country. He
won their support but faced resistance while trying to convince the lower House of
Representatives. With the use of the military, Napoleon forced them into naming him First
Consul of France without having to harm a soul. To those who viewed Napoleon as a tyrant, his
actions as First Consul seemed puzzling.
     Napoleon immediately reduced taxes, stabilized the economy, opened schools and
universities around the country and even established programs to give jobs to the unemployed.
Among his greatest accomplishments as First Consul, was the development of the Code
Napoleon, which is the foundation for the French legal system and is in use to this day. He
sought peace and to end the conflict in and outside of France. Peace was made with Austria and
Britain and all the wars had concluded in the Treaty of Amiens made with Britain. Emperor As
First Consul, Napoleon was faced with much adversity but he always prevailed using the threats
against his life as motive to secure his power permanently. Since he was not royalty he could not
be made King so he decided to become Emperor. In a ceremony with the Pope, Napoleon
decided to undertake the crowning himself. Some saw this move as a great warning of his
craving for power. However, all fear about his motives faded with his generous use of the power.
     He gave royal titles to his siblings, allowing them to be monarchs over his conquered
lands. Many countries, afraid of his ambition to rule the continent, allied together to prevent him
from conquering any more land. Among these were Austria and Great Britain. He defeated the
Austrians on land but Napoleon's greatest military flaw was realized when he met in battle with a
squadron of the British Navy, and faced staggering losses. But Napoleon never admitted defeat
and destroyed an Austrian-Russian army to force half of the allies in surrender. Defeat In Russia
After years of battle Napoleon eventually defeat Russia and allied with them to try and destroy
the British Empire. However, both sides violated the treaty and waged war on each other.
Napoleon, as always decided to go on the offensive and invade Russia. He took an army of
500,000 men and as he made his way through the vast plains of the country he noticed village
after village was deserted. Finally just before reaching the capital of Moscow, Napoleon faced
resistance from the Russian Army but after a hard-fought battle Napoleon's troops prevailed.
Upon his arrival in Moscow, Napoleon sees that the capital is also deserted and later that
evening is lit on fire. The great blaze could not be stopped because the Russians had smashed the
water pumps before their departure. The fires roared for days but when the fires were finally
over Napoleon stayed in Russia for nearly a month awaiting a reply for his demands of peace.
However, upon inspection of the area for miles, Napoleon discovered that almost the entire
country had been evacuated and moved. Napoleon then realized the strategy of the Russian czar.
He had leaded the French Army into a trap in the heart of Russia near the start of the frigid
Russian winter. Napoleon's wait in Moscow proved to be a fatal mistake. Realizing defeat,
Napoleon ordered his troops home. Since Napoleon's swift marches across wide areas of land
called for light travel, his troops weren't equipped with winter clothing or enough food for their
unexpectedly long journey. The Russian winter took its toll on his men as they made their way
home and finish his army into nearly half the size of what it was. This campaign in Russia would
prove to be the greatest military disaster in history.
     Napoleon's enemies banded together to deliver him one final blow. He put together a
makeshift army recruiting 350,000 new soldiers from within his empire. He decided to go full
force against the great odds of the allies and in several consecutive battles; his young army was
victorious despite astonishing odds. His military genius and motivational words to the troops
allowed them to overcome great obstacles. However, his forces were finally overwhelmed and
Napoleon retreated back to Paris where months later, the capital was overtaken by the allies. His
ego was too big to allow him to admit defeat so he fled outside Paris and showed his cowardess
by an unsuccessful suicide attempt. He finally relented and signed an act abdicating him as ruler
of France. The Hundred Days Exiled to an island near his birthplace of Corsica, Napoleon
immediately set to work to plan his comeback. With the few troops and small naval fleet his
allies allowed him, he made his way back to France. Finally in early 1815, he arrived in France
and made his way towards the capital. By the time he reached the capital his army had
multiplied to several thousand as entire garrisons left the reign of King Louis XVIII to join his
troops. Reassuming the title of emperor, Napoleon immediately faced opposition from the allies.
As always, Napoleon attacked first. The allied forces were not yet united and Napoleon knew he
could defeat them if he met them separately. After meeting and defeating the Prussians, he met
with the British army at Waterloo in Belgium. The British troops were able to withstand
Napoleon's fire and thousands from both sides fell during the battle with neither side achieving
victory. However, at twilight the Prussians met with the British troops to give them support.
They had regrouped their forces, coming to the rescue of their allies and creating a force
Napoleon himself knew was too large to beat. Final Exile Again Napoleon was forced to
relinquish, so he fled to the United States but when he learned that all ships were being inspected
for his presence, he turned himself in. He was forced to the desolate island of St. Helena, 600
miles off the coast of nowhere. He lived out the rest of his weary days in solitude and nearly six
years later, Napoleon befell the same fate as his father and died of stomach cancer at the age of
51. Few people in history have met such great achievements with having faced such great
distress. He overcame great odds in every battle to satisfy his desire for power. To his enemies
he was power-hungry tyrant often associated with the devil whose lust for conquest far
outweighed his good will toward his people. Either way, history writes this man as one of the
greatest military minds ever whose conquest and code influenced revolutions and legal systems,
which would change the face of the earth.