Napoleon Bonaparte

by Obstfeld, Raymond; Obstfeld, Loretta

• ISBN13: 9780737704228
• ISBN10: 0737704225
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-09-01
• Publisher: Greenhaven Pr

Summary

Contains a biographical overview of the life and times of the emperor, and a series of essays on the major influences on his character and career, domestic and foreign policies, military career, and legacy.

Table of Contents

Foreword	9	(11)
Napoleon Bonaparte The Man Who Would Be King	11	(21)
The Major Influences on Napoleon's Character and Career
The Bonaparte Family Influence	32	(10)
Frank McLynn
Napoleon's relationships with his parents and brother, as well as his Corsican heritage, had a profound influence on him. He was raised by a stern, social-climbing mother, whom he held in awe, and by an ambitious, opportunistic father, whom he held in contempt. Being brought up in this volatile mixture of family and in a country in armed rebellion against France, he learned the ruthlessness and self-sufficiency he needed to achieve his dreams of power
The French Revolution	42	(11)
George Gordon Andrews
Although the French Revolution began in 1789 when Napoleon was only twenty years old, the unprecedented changes it brought about made his rapid advancement in the military possible. It also created in the French people a romantic desire for a strong hero to lead them, a role that Napoleon was willing to assume. Once in power, many of his most famous political accomplishments, including the Civil Code and educational reform, were the direct result of the blueprint provided by the French Revolution
Napoleon's Domestic Policies
The Civil Code	53	(12)
Martyn Lyons
One of Napoleon's greatest achievements was the establishment of the Civil Code, which unified all of France under one set of laws. As France's influence spread, so did the Civil Code, which is still the basis for the laws in many European countries
A Revolution in Education	65	(5)
Will
Ariel Durant
Napoleon implemented an educational system in France that standardized not only what subjects were taught but also how they were taught. Although this system was extremely rigid, it gave students the opportunity to advance based on their merit and not just because of their family connections. These reforms are credited with making France a leader in science and other studies in Europe
The Concordat	70	(8)
Geoffrey Ellis
Napoleon recognized the importance of religion to the French. Therefore, in order to better control the largely Catholic population, he softened the French Revolution's anti-Catholic stance and made a conciliatory agreement (the Concordat) with the pope---an agreement that he almost immediately broke
Napoleon's Political Use of Theater	78	(12)
Michael Polowetzky
The high illiteracy rate among the French contributed to the great popularity of theater. Napoleon recognized this as an opportunity to both watch over and control public opinion. Not only did he censor plays that he considered detrimental to his regime, but Napoleon also ordered his spies to report on the rumors and political views circulating among theater audiences
Public Opinion: Estrangement and Opposition	90	(6)
Roger Dufraisse
Though a series of military missteps damaged France's political power, it was Napoleon's economic policies and inattention to growing public dissatisfaction that finally destroyed his reign as emperor. Riots among his subjects and rebellions among his allies toppled the ruler, who, as his power had grown, had isolated himself more and more from his advisers
Napoleon's Foreign Policies
The Continental System	96	(4)
Alan Schom
Throughout his rule, Napoleon's main military obstacle was England. Because of England's superior navy, Napoleon knew he could not yet defeat the nation in battle. As an alternative, he devised the Continental System, an economic blockade that prohibited European countries from trading with England. Though the system had an early devastating effect on England, it also damaged the economies of Napoleon's allies, resulting in a backlash against France that led to the Continental System's failure
Ruling the Conquered	100	(9)
Michael Broers
Though Napoleon's rule reached across continents and oceans alike to encompass much of the world, French law and customs had their greatest impact on the so-called inner empire, those nations that were conquered early and remained under French rule the longest. To institute laws in these countries. Napoleon first had to overcome a long history of local hatred for French soldiers
A New France in America	109	(9)
Paul Fregosi
When Napoleon came to power he revived the popular French dream of a New France in North America by regaining the Louisiana Territory from the Spanish. From this foothold, he hoped to expand the French Empire to eventually include all of North America. However, the expense of his wars forced Napoleon to sell Louisiana to the United States
Napoleon's Military Career
Changing Modern Warfare	118	(10)
Robert B. Holtman
Napoleon's military strategies have been used in every major war since the nineteenth century, including the American Civil War and both World Wars. Although the techniques that made Napoleon the most feared---and most successful---conqueror of his time were already well established before he came to power, it was his genius in combining different tactics and strategies that gave him so many victories
Napoleon Demonstrates His Ruthlessness	128	(4)
Owen Connelly
When a disillusioned French mob threatened the Tuileries Palace, where the French revolutionary government was housed, a young Napoleon Bonaparte was ordered to defend the building. Napoleon's order to fire on the Parisians at point-blank range demonstrated his ruthlessness to the French leaders and started him on his meteoric rise to power
A Quest for Personal Glory	132	(7)
Jean Tulard
Napoleon conceived his invasion of Egypt more as a public relations campaign than as a military one. He hoped a victory there would boost his popularity in France, thereby furthering his political career. Despite significant military losses, he nevertheless returned to France more popular than ever. He quickly acted on that popularity, becoming France's most powerful political figure
Napoleon's Masterpiece: The Battle of Austerlitz	139	(9)
David G. Chandler
Most historians consider the Battle of Austerlitz to be Napoleon's greatest victory and the best example of his military genius. Vastly outnumbered by the Russian and Austrian armies, Napoleon's army defeated their foes through a shrewd combination of speed, courage, and bluffing
Napoleon Overreaches in Russia	148	(7)
Anthony Masters
Napoleon's ill-conceived march on Russia marked the beginning of the end of his rule. Short on supplies to feed and clothe his army and facing a brutal winter, Napoleon lost nearly half a million French troops, as well as his reputation for military invincibility
Napoleon's Legend and Legacy
A Legacy of Political Change	155	(7)
J. Christopher Herold
The spread of French rule across Europe brought with it the ideals of democracy. But Napoleon's own oppressive monarchy caused an increase in nationalistic feelings among the conquered people and the desire to implement those ideals in the form of self-rule. As a result, one of Napoleon's greatest legacies---though unintended---was the dismantling of many European monarchies in favor of more democratic rule
Napoleon and Hitler	162	(7)
Desmond Seward
An unexpected legacy of Napoleon is that he inspired other megalomaniacs---such as Adolf Hitler---to attempt to duplicate his phenomenal success. A comparison of Napoleon and Hitler reveals some startling similarities, but also some fundamental differences
Lessons from Napoleon's Career	169	(6)
Alistair Horne
Napoleon's obsession with destroying Britain contributed greatly to his downfall. But perhaps his most significant problem was his determination to conquer all of Europe in order to prevent neighboring countries from rising up against him. France's enemies learned that, although they could not defeat Napoleon by fighting him singly, he was not invincible if they fought against him together
Discussion Questions	175	(3)
Appendix of Documents	178	(9)
Chronology	187	(5)
For Further Research	192	(4)
Index	196