Napoleon Bonaparte as French Leader - Admission/Application Essay Example

Napoleon Bonaparte as French LeaderNapoleon Bonaparte is recognized as a French leader due to his numerous military exploits. He was born in 1769 in Corsica (BBC 1). He traces his heritage to France and Italy. He attended a military school in France and later joined the army as an artilleryman. His father died, making him change his residence to Corsica where he joined the anti-France opposition. However, he disagreed with the leader of the resistance and changed his loyalty to France. In as much as Napoleon’s era can be examined based on diverse perspectives, it is necessary to focus on major issues that include his rise to power, first consul, reform agenda and fall.

Napoleon rose to power due to his military exploits to become the first emperor of France. After his return to the French army, Napoleon was keen to show his commitment to the French people. Consequently, he joined the Jacobins and supported their numerous ideals. After three years of revolution, the country became a republic. Subsequent to the deceleration of France as a republic, Maximilien de Robespierre rose to power (Fremont-Barnes 7). The years between 1793 and 1794 was characterized with terror because many people died.

The chaos created a suitable ground for military leaders like Bonaparte to thrive (Fremont-Barnes 7). In 1795, Napoleon became “commander of the Army of the Interior” because he blotched an attempt for revolution (Chandler 40). His profile in the country was enhanced when he married Joséphine de Beauharnais. However, in 1810, he applied for annulment because she could not give him a son (A &E Television Network 1). The first consul was an important milestone in the constitutional dispensation of France as designed by Napoleon (A &E Television Network 1).

The position was almost similar to authoritarianism. The novel guidelines accorded the consul the capacity to employ ministers, army generals, government workers, law officers and members of legislative entities. Napoleon became the initial consul when the constitution passed in February 1800.Napoleon as the first consul focused on a distinct reform agenda in diverse sectors such as the economy. Other areas included the legal dispensation and education. Interestingly, he also focused on reforming the Church because Roman Catholicism became the religion of the state.

He also came up with the Napoleonic Code that disallowed privileges attributed to birth (A &E Television Network 1). He encouraged a fundamental right that was the privilege of religion. As a first consul, Napoleon became famous because he fostered peace in France and other regions across Europe. In 1802, the French representatives chose him to become the consul for life. Subsequently, he became the emperor in 1804 (A &E Television Network 1).Napoleon eventually fell as a French leader because he made several mistakes.

The rise of the British Empire contributed significantly to his fall because he acted irrationally by banning trade with the country. He also refused to accept peace with several Allie states and did not want France to return to its natural boundaries. He was exiled in Elba, but came back to attacked waterloo. He died in 1821. Works CitedA &E Television Network. Napoleon Biography. 2014. Web. 31st July 2014 http://www.biography.com/people/napoleon-9420291#related-video-gallery BBC. Napoleon Bonaparte (1769 - 1821). 2014. Web.

31st July 2014Chandler, David. The Campaigns of Napoleon. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster, 2009. PrintTop of FormFremont-Barnes, Gregory. Napoleon Bonaparte: Leadership, Strategy, Conflict. Oxford: Osprey Pub, 2010. Print. Bottom of Form