Napoleon (2950 words)

Napoleon
This essay will illustrate why Napoleon Bonaparte is regarded as one of the
greatest military masterminds in the history of mankind.

It will show the life of Napoleon from when he was a young boy, till he died in
1821. It will show how he deceived the French into giving him power, and how he
used this power for his own interests. It will also reveal how he almost killed
of an entire generation of French people, and once again prove that all good
things must come to an end. Napoleon Bonaparte was born on August 15, 1769 in
Ajaccio on the island of Corsica. This was only a few months after France had
annexed the island. He had 7 brothers and sisters, and his father was a lawyer
whose family stemmed from the Florentine nobility. His original nationality was
Cursican-Italian. In 1779 Napoleon went to school at Brienne in France. There he
took a great interest in in history, especially in the lives of great ancient
generals. Napoleon was often badly treated at Brienne because he was not as
wealthy as his fellow classmates, and very short. He also did not speak French
well, because Italian was spoken on Corsica where he grew up. He studied very
hard so that he could do better then those who snubbed him. Napoleon attended
the Ecole Military School in Paris in 1784 after receiving a scholarship. This
is were he received his military training. He studied to be an artillery man and
an officer. Napoleon finished his training and joined the French army when he
was 16 years old. He was appointed to an artillery regiment , and commissioned
as a lieutenant. Once again he was not well liked by his fellow officers because
he was short, spoke with an Italian accent, and had little money. Napoleon spent
little time with his regiment. He was more concerned with trying to free his
home land of Corsica, witch had been taken with force by France. Soon after
being commissioned his father died, and he was forced to provide for his family.

Napoleon spent the next seven years reading the works of the philosophers, and
educating himself in military matters by studying the campaigns of the great
military leaders of the past. The French Revolution and the European war that
followed broadened his sights and presented him with new opportunities. Napoleon
was a supporter of the French Revolution . He went back and forth between Paris
and Ajaccio, working for the Republic. Napoleon rose quickly through the ranks
and became a captain in 1792. In 1793, Corsica revolted against the Republic,
and Napoleon’s family had to Flee to France. The Republic was in danger. France
was at war with Austria, Prussia, England, Holland, and Spain. There was a
revolt in western France, and there was a great need for good officers. At the
age of 25, only one year after becoming captain, Napoleon performed so well that
he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. He was given command of the
artillery at Toulon, and in December of that same year, the French forced the
English out of Toulon. ” The commander in chief wrote: “I Have no
words to describe the merit of Bonaparte. Much science, as much intelligence,
and too much bravery.” “(pg.7 Britannica Junior Encyclopedia #11 N-O).

In August of 1794 Napoleon was arrested because he had been a supporter of
Maximilien Rosbespierre. He was accused of treason. Although he was released his
career seemed to be over. Then in October of 1795, the government was threatened
with a revolt in Paris. Paul Barras, commander of the home forces, appointed
Napoleon to defend the capital. “With amazing swiftness Napoleon massed men
and artillery at important places in Paris The attack of 30,000 national guards
was driven back by his men. About 200 men were killed on each side, but he had
saved France from civil war.” (pg.7 Britannica Junior Encyclopedia #11
N-O). Napoleon saved the national convention from the Parisian mob and one year
later at the age of 26, was rewarded with the position of commander in chief of
the interior French army in Italy. When Napoleon accepted the position as the
commander of the French Army he received a chilly reception by his generals.

They thought Napoleon was no better than intriguer who owed everything to
Barras’s favour. None of these men were to be easily cowed by a “wild
haired little runt “of only twenty six. Yet, as Augereau one of the
generals admitted