Preview

Was The French Revolution Napoleon A Hero

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1378 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Was The French Revolution Napoleon A Hero
In result of Napoleon’s many successes into eliminating negative components of the French Revolution have convinced many citizens of the French nation that Napoleon is the hero of The French Revolution; however, due to his despotic intentions, inevitable failures, as well as other figures of the French Revolution also being considered to be heroic, prove otherwise. The French government in the beginning of our French Revolution was in need of a man with military success, they were in need of a man like Napoleon. Napoleon was assigned only to prevent chaos during the French Revolution in 1797, but eventually was admitted as the French Emperor of France in 1804. Despite his efforts and success into improving the French Revolution in economic, political, and social ways; Napoleon soon expressed tyrannical tendencies through his enforcement of democratic despotism and un-kept promises of everlasting military winnings. However, the citizens, and once myself, had created an idealized illusion of Napoleon considering he had the press censor his losses. Not only that, but Napoleon’s most prized and likable creation, the Napoleonic Code (A code of laws that enforced the endurance of religion, equality, and the abolition of feudalism), contradicts itself considering it allows husbands and fathers to maintain complete authority over their wives and children. This only proves that the Napoleonic Code is in favor of commanding power rather than individual rights. A hero is someone who humbly remains undefeated and is idealized for their genuine …show more content…
In conclusion, Napoleon is a definite, positive influence during this time of the french revolution, but he is not the overall hero of the French Revolution that meny deem him to

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Dbq 11 American History

    • 1084 Words
    • 5 Pages

    I think that Napoleon in a way demonstrated French Revolution ideals. The French Revolution ideals were for equality and rights for the people, but Napoleon took away a many of the rights that people wanted. The people of France were not allowed to gather in groups of people and discuss beliefs that did not follow Napoleons, and he re-established slavery. He also controlled everything that was published and banned some authors from writing or publishing books during his reign. To me he wanted the people to believe in this ideals rather than promote them to have their own beliefs and thoughts, and being killed for thinking differently to me is not equality or a…

    • 1084 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Philip Mansel is a historian educated at Eton College, where he was a King’s Scholar, and at Balliol College, Oxford, where he read Modern History and Modern Languages. Mansel argues Napoleon brought Europe into the pinnacle of monarchism. Mansel states the Napoleon’s act of overthrowing historic republics and installing family members on newly created thrones changed European politics and government. Mansel objectively dissects Napoleon’s policies without taking sides. He states Napoleon’s methods and significance, does not state whether the policies are right or wrong. This is a valuable source for illustrating Napoleon’s short term impact on government and politics in the Napoleonic Era.…

    • 1259 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Napoleon Response Final

    • 1102 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The are two sides to every story. The French Revolution brought significant change to France during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It was a period of time that produced a remodeling of the French Government system, an Enlightened mindset, and the rise of a new prominent ruler, Napoleon Bonaparte. Emperor Napoleon, as he so deemed himself, initially took on his duties by trying to bring together what had been a much divided nation. He made concessions with both the left (the constitutionalists) and the right (the monarchists). His concessions earned him respect from many, however, as his power grew and grew, Napoleon developed a tendency to rely strongly on his military to gain power. His militaristic eagerness to monopolize Europe earned him much respect and praise from the French people, but very infrequently do we recognize those individuals that served in the military to carry through Napoleon’s aggressive orders. Those who fought for Napoleon’s success received very little in return; much to lack of motivation. Fortunately for the world, Jakob Walter’s story as a conscript for Napoleon’s Grand Army has been public for the world. His powerful accounts of the pitiful conditions that conscripts endured during their wartime travels would give many a different opinion of the “Great” Napoleon. As mentioned earlier, there are two sides to every story.…

    • 1102 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The ruler is one of the most important parts of a country. They can cause gain or loss for the people, and sometimes even a mixture of both. An exemplary leader can bring great change to a nation, and there are many who have caused incredible reforms. For example, Abraham Lincoln abolished slavery in the United States, and King Louis XVIII of France inadvertently caused a revolution. Though Louis may be well known, the most famous of France’s rulers was arguably Napoleon. His military success and determination led to a huge amount of power within his French Empire, but ultimately a great fall. The entire nation of France was able to appreciate Napoleon and give him perhaps more credit than he is due; they saw him as a beacon of hope. Much of Napoleon’s rule consisted of extreme changes to France’s society and church, but other areas, such as education, individual rights, and government, were hardly affected.…

    • 716 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Napoleon Bonaparte reinforced the idea that he was the child of the revolution by introducing the innovative Napoleonic Code which set out to unify France. Bonaparte, a certified pragmatist pleased the masses of France and gained support by fighting for their concerns and rights. At a time of chaos where France lacked foundation, Napoleon introduced a Civil Code. The code was a written statement of what the revolution stood for, unification. Is it not an absurd and terrible thing that what is true in one village is false in another? What kind of barbarism is it that citizens must live under different laws? ... When you travel in this kingdom you change legal systems as often as you change horses?" The Code introduced by napoleon changed the landscape of continental Europe. Before the code, laws relied heavily on customs and traditions…

    • 661 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    To most of Europe, Napoleon was just another conqueror trying to expand his territories, but to the people of France, he was a great leader; he “restored peace and order at home” (Kagan, Ozment, Turner, Frank 586). Restoring order to France was one of his greatest domestic achievements; the people loved him for his support in helping them win their fight for equal rights “to achieve wealth, status, and security for their property” (Kagan, Ozment, Turner, Frank 586).…

    • 444 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    He displayed these ideals by telling his brother about how he should be confident in his decisions and make his subjects happy to be under his power. Napoleon tells his brother, “don’t listen to those who say his subjects are accustomed to slavery will feel no gratitude for the benefits that you give them” (120). Bonaparte also demonstrated French Revolution ideals in that he wanted liberty for his people and equality. He believed his soldiers deserve rights and the freedom to expression themselves. “He concentrated power in his own hands, suppressed opposition, and sought to mold public opinion by controlling the press and education” (119).…

    • 679 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Napoleon Bonaparte was a very influential character in the history of France. When Napoleon rose to power, many reforms were made regarding the social system, economics, education, and political aspects. For some, the reforms made under his rule were for the better of the people, but others viewed the reforms as negative changes. Nonetheless, Napoleon will always be thought of as a powerful figure in the French Revolution. A leader from the beginning, Napoleon was sent to France for military training at age nine.…

    • 977 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Was Napoleon Bonaparte a hero or a tyrant? Did the good of his actions outweigh the bad? Napoleon Bonaparte was a French military leader who rose to power during the French Revolution. He eventually conquered most of Europe and named himself emperor. I believe that Napoleon was a tyrant for a few different reasons. These include that he was egotistical, selfish, and untruthful.…

    • 479 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Napoleon Bonaparte Tyrant

    • 1041 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Born in 1769, Napoleon Bonaparte is one of the most famous people of French history. Being immersed in the military from the age of 9 and on, it is no wonder that he became one of, arguably, the best military leaders of all time. But, the question comes about, was Napoleon a hero or a tyrant? Along with the many good things that Napoleon did to help the people of France after the French Revolution, came some very, very bad things. In no time he went from being loved and adored by the people of France to being absolutely loathed. Some people argue that even with all the bad things that he did, Bonaparte was still a hero, but how can somebody who did so many terrible things still be a hero? Napoleon was a tyrant because of his belief in equality for only half of the…

    • 1041 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The debate of whether Napoleon is an enlightened despot or a founder of the modern state has proven difficult to evaluate since there are valid arguments and supporting evidence for both perspectives. In one aspect, he can be seen as enlightened dictator who contradicted the principles of the revolution. In another aspect, he can be seen as a liberator of people and a unifier of the French nation. I will argue that Napoleon Bonaparte was more an enlightened despot than a founder of modern state using his coronation, the Civil Code, and him as a dictator who scarified millions of lives as examples for my…

    • 1366 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Napoleon Bonaparte did maintain the ideals of the French Revolution to some extent. He kept many of the changes that came with the Revolution. In the important areas such as the economy, the government and society and in religion, he succeeded in achieving the goals of the Revolution…

    • 431 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Napoleon Bonaparte

    • 502 Words
    • 3 Pages

    During Napoleon’s reign as Emperor of the French Empire he made laws, or a set of codes, that applied to all of France. He enacted laws that protected the people, promoted religious tolerance and took away the serfdom and feudalism systems, all of which gave people more freedom over their land to support themselves and their families. The well-being of the people was compromised since the workers lacked many rights, this being evident by the fact that trade unions and strikes were illegal, which encouraged employer abuse.…

    • 502 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Was Robespierre A Hero

    • 337 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The French Revolution was a time in France where people wanted to do something about the Old Regime and new developed ideas. During this period, peasants and other lower-class people wanted the same rights and freedoms the nobles had. New assemblies of people were forming; trying to create laws to limit the power of the monarchy and eventually get rid of it. Jacobins, a group of radicals, became enemies of France because they were murdering the people of their own country. This is when Robespierre took control. I disagree with the statement " Robespierre was a good, virtuous, honest, and principled man. He is a hero!" I don't like the strategy he used to try to wipe out all of France's past.…

    • 337 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Was Napoleon A Hero?

    • 230 Words
    • 1 Page

    Was Napoleon a hero? Of course, he was definitely a hero. A hero is defined as a person who is smart, caring, considerate and is admired or idealized for courage or outstanding achievements. Napoleon was a hero because he made French into a center of advanced learning, founded the first Bank of France and the Napoleonic Code. To make the French become the center of advanced learning. Napoleon built the University of France in 1808 and the Lycee Louis-le-Grand as a public secondary school in Paris. He changed the policy that everyone can go to school, which made more people educated, which made French became a civil center. In addition, he founded the Bank of France in 1800. During 1790, weakness in the economy caused a drop in foreign trade…

    • 230 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays