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One of the greatest military leaders in history, Napoleon
Bonaparte, 'The Little Corporal', was born in Corsica.
Educated at French military schools, he distinguished himself
early on. He commanded troops that quelled a royalist Parisian
uprising in 1795 and as reward was given the army of the
interior to lead. Soon after, he was made commander in chief
of the army of Italy.
He married Josephine de Beauharnais in 1796, before going
off to lead the poorly equipped army based in Italy. The
Italian campaign was a success over the Austrians. With
victory across Italy, and his signature on the Truce of
Leoben, his popularity across much of Europe was sealed.
He set his sights on British domination and planned to
attack at Egypt, then India. While he won a number of triumphs
along the way, his fleet was destroyed by Nelson at Abu Qir in
1798.
The Ottomans then declared war on France, but were defeated
by Napoleon in Egypt. Back in France, the government was in
crisis. Napoleon secretly left Egypt for Paris, where he
conspired to stage a coup d'etat and was named first consul on
9 November 1799. His rule saw the centralization of
government, the creation of the Bank of France, reinstatement
of Roman Catholicism as the state religion and law reform with
the Code Napoleon.
Over the next two years he would defeat the Austrians at
Marengo, and sign the Treaty of Luneville (1801) and Amiens
(1802), which established French power on the continent. In
1802, the constitution of France was altered so Napoleon could
be consul for life.
Soon after, Britain declared war on France and sent support
to Napoleon's enemies to aid in his murder. In 1804 he had
himself proclaimed emperor of the French. Within the year he
claimed Kingship of Italy and annexed Genoa, enraging Britain,
Austria, Russia and Sweden who allied against him.
Notable battles followed, including a victory at Austerlitz
over the Russians and Austrians (1805) and a cruel defeat
again at the hands of Nelson at Trafalgar (1805). However,
Napoleon gained much territory elsewhere, including annexation
of Prussian lands which ostensibly gave him control of Europe.
The Holy Roman Empire was dissolved, Holland and Westphalia
created, and over the next 5 years, Napoleon's relatives and
loyalists were installed as leaders (in Holland, Westphalia,
Italy, Naples, Spain and Sweden).
In 1810, he had his childless marriage annulled and
re-married in the hopes of getting an heir. Napoleon II was
born a year later.
The Peninsular War of 1808-14 saw the beginning of
Napoleon's decline. Costly defeats, an empire that was
unexpectedly difficult to control and growing unrest with his
iron will all contributed. His invasion of Russia cost him
further. His Grande Armee of 500,000 men would be virtually
destroyed during 1812 and Napoleon returned to Paris in
December with fewer allies then he started with.
The Allies defeated him in battle over the course of the
next two years, and finally, on March 31, 1814, Paris fell.
Napoleon abdicated to Elba. There Napoleon learned that the
French, and especially the army, were unhappy with the
treatment of the restored Bourbon leadership. He took this
opportunity to march on Paris and reinstate himself for his
fateful '100 Days'. The Battle of Waterloo ended his brief
reign. He surrendered to Britain, hoping for leniency, and
instead was exiled to St. Helena where he would die on 5 May
1821. |
