Napoleon Bonapartes Place in History - Research Paper Example

Napoleon Bonaparte Introduction On the island of Corsica which was a colony of France on August 15, 1769, Napoleon Bonaparte was born. Many historians appreciate and acknowledge Napoleon as one of the best and great men of all time. He was ruler of the French who strengthened and institutionalized a lot of restructuring of the French Revolution. The French Revolution that occurred during 1789 to 1799 revolutionized whole social, political and economic structure of France everlastingly. Napoleon, even today, is considered to be one of the best military commanders of all time. Napoleon Bonaparte’s Place in History Status of Napoleon Bonaparte as a hero or a villain is one of the major controversies surrounding Napoleon. This issue is important, because many people question if Napoleon did more for France or was rather a self-centered individual. Many believe that Napoleon was a tyrant, because his principles defeated the purpose of the ideals of the French Revolution, basically that Napoleon abused his power and was only concentrated on fulfilling selfish dreams. Napoleon was one of the greatest leaders that France had ever had and was a hero in the French society. Napoleon was a hero in France and also in most of Europe. Napoleons heroic efforts include his remarkable military accomplishments, his ability to promote and advance the wide-ranging social, economic, and cultural changes that arose from the French revolution, and his domestic policy that still affects French institutions today. Napoleons domestic policy was one of his greatest legacies to France. This policy provided the stability in France necessary to consolidate the revolution begun in 1789. For example, Napoleons Bank of France and tax reform stabilized the French economy. This bank issued government securities and extended low interest loans to promote industry. In some cases, new industry was also encouraged by the offer of grant money or tax rebates. Napoleon refined the system by demanding that tax collectors pay 5% of expected revenue up front and ensuring that tax collectors were now professional, government employees. (Frank, 73) Napoleon also ensured that there were no tax exemptions based on class. This previous policy on "class exemptions from tax" was a major issue in French society prior to the revolution. (Isser, 114) Direct taxes on land, business licenses, personal property, and servants were now maintained at a steady level as established under the directory. Napoleon Bonaparte at St. Bernard - 1800 As his armies marched across Europe, he did away with serfdom and spread liberty and equality. Napoleon spent his whole life working for France, whether he was working for his people or striving to reach his main goal, to have a united Europe all under the rule of one country - France. In this game Napoleon seemed to be the last to make a mistake, what maybe the biggest mistake in his life - Napoleon had attempted to conquer Russia. The Russian Campaign Napoleon gathered a grand army of 655, 00 men to attempt what no man had done before, invade Russia. He set out in the summer of 1812 to do his task with full confidence that he would win. (Digby, 23) The Russians once seeing the number of troops he had, hastily retreated further into their lands. Napoleon, on the offensive pursued the Russians deeper within their lands not yet realizing the trap that he had sprung. The Russians, during their strategic retreat, destroyed whole villages, mills, farms and any other food source or resources that the French may have used during their chase. The French had to dump supplies because of lack of horses to carry them and slowly all their supplies faded away including medicines and much needed rations. The Russian army turned around and fought. Napoleon defeated them in the battle of Borondo but not without casualties. Since all of his army was tired, hungry and thirsty, many had died during the battle. But all was not lost, Napoleon realized that he was past halfway to the capital and only needed to travel a little further to reach there, and then he knew Russia would have to sign a peace treaty with him, which would then in turn, cut off all trade routes with Britain, giving him a distinct advantage. Napoleon entered the capital in September 1812, only to find it evacuated and plundered of all its resources. It was still what he had thought, a great triumph, since now that he had taken Moscow (Russias Capital), Russia would have to sign his peace treaty, or so hed thought. He waited and waited for a Russian messenger to arrive and plead for peace, until he finally realized what was happening. He quickly decided to lead his troops outside Russia before the dreaded Russian winter fell upon them. But it was too late; by the time he and all his troops had reached halfway outside Russia winter had arrived as well as many Russian troops close behind. The French were now the ones who were on the run. They fled the snowy fields with thousands of dead bodies signaling their path. With temperatures below -30ºC, food and medical supplies depleted as well as Russian troops at there rear slowly catching up, they knew they had to hurry. They finally reached the border only to find the bridges destroyed to get past the river which would lead them outside to their haven. Napoleon then marched back to France with only 45,000 men from the original 655,000. This was in many peoples minds his greatest defeat ever. (Steven, 257) Economic Reforms of Napoleon Bonaparte Under Napoleons domestic policy, indirect taxes, such as those imposed on durable goods were also raised, as more revenue was needed for the economy. The concordat also healed the relationship between France and the Roman Catholic Church. For example, the Church renounced all right to those lands that had been confiscated during the revolution thus allowing the new owners, who were primarily peasants, the confidence that they would retain their property. Religious toleration was also extended to Protestants and toleration towards the Jewish religion was all a result of Napoleons domestic policy. The Code Napoleon and new education policies were also a major benefit towards the French people. For example, the Napoleon code gave male French citizens equality before the law, freedom from arrest without due process, equality of taxation, the right to choose ones work, religious freedom, and the criminal code now stressed equality for everyone before the law. Education gave male students the right to proceed to specialized schools of law, medicine, pharmacy, the military, or teaching. These education laws also introduced "lycees" which was the equivalent, of high schools. Equality was also stressed by Napoleon, this is proven in Napoleons famous quote, and “Equality must be the first element in education." These policies, combined with many other policies created by Napoleon in his national "domestic policy", still remains a major factor of French institutions today. (Riley, 188) Napoleon is also a hero towards the entire European continent. His distinguished military capabilities brought a sense of liberty, peace and modernization to most of Europe. For Example, after conquering many nations in Europe, Napoleons first objective was to bring reforms towards these nations. Napoleon did much to modernize the nations he ruled. He brought many of the same reforms that he brought to effect in France. These included the Napoleonic code, abolishing serfdom and feudalism and guaranteeing basic rights. These reforms created a legacy for Napoleon not only in France, but also in the entire European continent. Conclusion Without the changes that Napoleon brought into effect in these many countries, these nations might still be in the national devastation that they were prior to Napoleon taking over. The French revolution and Napoleons diffusion of its thoughts can be established by the truth that even after the defeat of Napoleon, none of the previous European monarchies or rules ever took pleasure in the supreme power that they once held. The French revolution aroused and floated new ideas pertaining to parity, justice, liberty, and the very nature of social contact, but, paradoxically, it was Napoleon Bonaparte who enabled and extended many of these ideas throughout Europe. The daring contributions of Napoleon in war are an outstanding figure of his brave and resourceful nature. Napoleon was, no doubt, a hero for the French people, because of his military intellect. There never was or never will be such a great military commander for the French army as that of the likes of Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon won many wars and conquered many countries as a result of his remarkable military skills. France never had a leader before that won so many battles and that had created more preferable living standards as Napoleon did. If not for Napoleon, France would never have had advanced as much as it did under Napoleons control. Napoleons remarkable military accomplishments, his ability to promote and advance the wide-ranging social, economic, and cultural changes that arose from the French revolution, and his domestic policy, are all examples of his heroic efforts towards France and most of Europe. This is why Napoleon deserves the respect that he rightfully earned and is one of the greatest leaders and heroes that France ever had. The heroic efforts of Napoleon not only in battle, but also in the French society as a result of the French revolution should be remember forever. Bibliography Digby Smith. The Decline and Fall of Napoleons Empire: How the Emperor Self-Destructed. London: Greenhill Books. 2005. 23. Frank, McLynn. Napoleon: A Biography. Arcade Publishing. 2002. 73. Isser, Woloch. Napoleon and His Collaborators: The Making of a Dictatorship. New York: W. W. Norton. 2001. 114 Riley, J. P. Napoleon & the World War of 1813: Lessons in Coalition Warfighting. London: Frank Cass Publishers. 2000. 188 Steven, Englund. Napoleon: A Political Life. New York: Simon & Schuster. 2004. 257. Read More