The Influence of Napolean Bonaparte on History
The Influence of Napolean Bonaparte on History
Napoleon Bonaparte was born on August 15, 1769 in Ajaccio on the Mediterranean island of Corsica. Through his military exploits and his ruthless efficiency, Napoleon rose from obscurity to become Napoleon I, Emperor of France. He is both a historical figure and a legend -- and it is sometimes difficult to separate the two. The events of his life fired the imaginations of great writers, film makers, and playwrights whose works have done much to create the Napoleonic legend. Napoleon was one of the greatest military commanders in history. He has also been portrayed as a power hungry conqueror. Was he a megalomaniac, and was this an advantage or disadvantage to his rule over France? Napoleon denied being such a conqueror. He argued that, instead, he had attempted to build a federation of free peoples in a Europe united under a liberal government. But if this was his goal, he intended to achieve it by concentrating power in his own hands. However, in the states he created, Napoleon granted constitutions, introduced law codes, abolished feudalism, created efficient governments and fostered education, science, literature and the arts. He was a megalomaniac and because of his desire for complete control, he was defeated and exiled; therefore making it a disadvantage over his rule of France.
One reason for napoleon’s megalomania was his childhood. He was put into the finest military schools and was taught military tactics and warfare#. Without this napoleon would have probably never learned the skills he did at the school, and would have never become the power hungry leader he eventually became. Napoleon’s childhood was different from an average child’s life. He was a very small, fiery, hot tempered boy#. He loved to argue and fight with his brother and even elders#. He beat his brother when fighting, even though Giuseppe was more than a year older than him#. He had a very large superego and was very conscientious. Although with all these aggressive aspects, he was very generous#.
He went to military and preparatory schools. He started school at the age of five and was very serious about school#. He loved arithmetic, this love of mathematics caused him to become an artillery officer in the French army#. He developed his fiery nature as a child. He was very extroverted from the other boys in the school. This temper and anger ultimately caused him...