Unstoppable!!

Early in this week, our honors history class learned about one of the most powerful leaders in the late 1700s-early 1800s.  His name was Napoleon Bonaparte.  He was the emperor of France while at the same time, he seemed to be the leader of most of Europe.  He was known mostly for his military invasions of other countries and defeating those who invaded France.  He began his military life just at age 9 where he was sent to a military training academy.  When he left, he became a lieutenant colonel and went right to war against the British at Toulon.  He then became a general.  He put down many revolts from royalists and outside enemies while at the same time, his army whom he gathered and himself invaded and captured many other lands.  Even though he invaded and declared wars, many leaders who's land was captured said that he was one of the greatest military leaders of all time while being powerful and having the ambition and trust of his men.  This made him and his army one of the strongest of all time.  Napoleon's combination of military genius, civilian disinterestedness and domineering will, were just what France wanted.

Many rulers, governments, and just plain authors and commoners had very strong impressions of Napoleon which made him a global figure.  People like Madame de Stael and Marshal Michel Ney had opinions on how Napoleon rule and controlled the country of France.  Madame de Stael, a woman of French letters opposed him in every way.  De Stael stated in one of her texts that "he has a profound contempt for all the intellectual riches; virtue, dignity, religion, enthusiasm," and "he would like to persuade men by force and he considers all else to be stupidity or folly."  She says he altered between cunning and force to conquer the countries of Europe.  Now, she came from a wealthy family of nobility that helped serve for the French government financially.  She didn't necessarily

 

What is being shown in dark blue is France and the

lighter blue is what France controlled when Napoleon invaded. 

"Military history of France." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 16 Oct. 2014. Web. 16 Oct. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_history

 

 

believe in military having the power and she believed in power for the nobility and international decisions were made with peace.  Now she believed he created war across Europe and throughout France but didn't realize he was able to overthrow the directory in France, which was a bad group politically.  Nor did she realize he created meritocracy where power was given to people selected on their ability.  The other source is from Marshal Michel Ney who was a military officer who served closely with Napoleon.  Ney states in his letter "The times are gone when people were governed by suppressing their rights.  Liberty Triumphs in the end, and Napoleon, our august emperor, comes to confirm it."  He also states "Now, I would escort to join this immortal legion the Emperor Napoleon conducts to Paris, and which in a few days will reach the capital."  Now, he incidentally is objecting to Madame de Stael because he says Napoleon confirms his nation's liberty triumphs.  Those rights include property rights and education which he restored in France.  He also simulated the industry and removed trade barriers which was created by nobilities, which is what de Stael comes from.  Napoleon may have fought to get control of other lands, but he did not necessarily make those countries worse.  Clearly, he expanded on trade, education and property rights, and individual ability disregarding social class.  There were many others with opinions of Napoleon, like the New England Headley Brothers who stated "Napoleon's moral character was indifferent enough; yet as a friend of human liberty, and eager to promote the advancement of the race, by opening the field to talent and genius, however low their birth, he was infinitely superior to all the sovereigns who endeavored to crush him."  They agreed with Marshal Michel Ney about his beliefs in work and capability rather than a noble class. 

Now, many have similar opinions of Napoleon.  Many believe he was a very forceful invader with the intention of just invading.  Some believe he invaded but caused no valuable harm to a country.  There are also a few who believe he was invading for power and to promote good.  Now, I rationalize Marshal Ney's opinion more because Napoleon believed in individual liberties and believed in positions of work based on ability and not social class.  I don't necessarily agree with the invasions because I am one who does not want to start but will defend if needed.  Napoleon defended when he needed to, but he invaded more.  This is the part of my opinion that is on the noble side that doesn't want to invade but will defend.  The other part of me though is against the way that nobility runs things, like jobs based on social class and things like suppression laws that come from nobility.  I personally prefer to side with Napoleon just because of his positive intentions, but not with the constant invasions.