Napoleon: American Revolutionary War and Napoleon Essay

Submitted By cabj23
Words: 892
Pages: 4
Open Document
Christian Jones 12/1/14

Whether or not that you believe Napoleon betrayed the revolution, you have to determine first what exactly is the French revolution? And what are the revolutionary ideals that Napoleon allegedly betrayed? If Napoleon betrayed the Revolution then he betrayed the ideals of Liberty, and equality. However if Napoleon did not betray the revolution, he consolidated the revolutionary ideals. The only way of determining whether Napoleon consolidated or betrayed the revolution is to explore his actions such as his military success, Dictatorship and social reforms. The problem with trying to say that he was a good for it or bad is that he had views that support historians for both arguments that’s why this is a very popular question.
If Napoleon betrayed the revolution, then he betrayed the ideals of Liberty, and equality. For it is ideals rather than realities that Napoleon allegedly betrayed. The reality of the French revolution is the eight periods of constant change and successions of policies and leaders, with each new leader and party brining amendments to the revolution. Napoleon's coupe of 18 brumaire was an insurance against both Jacobin revolution and Royalist restoration. The French people expected Napoleon to bring back the peace, order and to consolidate the political and social conquests of the Revolution. Napoleon considered these conquests to be the sacred rights of property, equality and liberty. If Napoleon gained power with the promise of upholding the principals of the French Revolution how did he betray the revolution? I think that Napoleon was an effective but ambitious leader. I believe ambition led to a dictatorship, which they consider Napoleons ultimate betrayal. However the most convincing thought temporary solution to the political and ideological problems bequeathed by the Revolution. Napoleons dictatorship was a progression through time from the authoritarian nature of the French revolution. Probably one of Napoleons best characteristics was that he was an outstanding military commander and had many successful campaigns. Napoleon maintained the Revolutionary system of conscription and encouraged promotion based on ability. However his motivation for military success was the consolidation of his authority Napoleon said “My power is dependent on my glory and my glory on my victories... Conquest made me what I am; conquest alone can keep me there." Napoleons Military campaigns can be interpreted as either a consolidation or a betrayal of the revolution. Napoleon continued in the Revolution by liberating and introducing revolutionary ideals to the territories he conquered. In the areas he conquered Napoleon granted constitutions, introduced law codes, abolished feudalism, and created efficient governments and fostered education, science, literature and the arts. However these reforms always failed as Napoleon was always attempting the politically impossible.
Napoleons battles were fought in order to maintain his dictatorship. His Military success initially maintained the revolution, but once he turned France into a military dictatorship he betrayed the revolution. Although Napoleon's military conquests started off based on the ideals of the French Revolution, Napoleons constant quest for personal glory lead to a dictatorship. The Ultimate betrayal was the institution of a hereditary monarchy. This hereditary monarchy began in Napoleons action of crowing himself Emperor and culminated in his marriage to an Austrian Hapsburg princess. Napoleon claimed that his motives for marrying an Austrian were to consolidate the Revolution, by allying France with a dangerous neighbor, and defended his actions of crowning himself Emperor and marrying a Hapsburg by declaring "democracy establishes sovereignty;
Show More

Related Documents: Napoleon: American Revolutionary War and Napoleon Essay

American Revolution Dbq

From 1750- 1820 there were many changes and revolutions throughout the globe. It can be argued that the most revolutionary of them all were the American, French, and Haitian Revolutions. All three of these revolutions used enlightenment principles and established a constitutional monarchy within their societies. It can also be argued that the Haitian Revolution was the most revolutionary of them all. Beginning in 1791, by 1803 the Haitians had not only abolished slavery, but also the French control…

Words 719 - Pages 3

Revolutionary War Research Paper

the military history lessons to abstract the aspects of war, which enhance our leadership and capabilities to take the right decision. Therefore, I am going to start with war definition. “War is an act of force to compel our enemy to do our Will”. During the eighteenth and the beginning of the nineteenth centuries, a series of conflicts dominated Europe. These conflicts had its influence on the Europe at that time but the wars of Napoleon had the most lasting impact on western warfare. The explosion…

Words 1667 - Pages 7

North Usa and France Ccot Essay examples

The French and North American revolution had very similar goals from 1775-1850CE but were different in their outcomes in the revolutionary process. From 1775-1850CE the North American and French revolutions had very similar goals. North America’s revolution was to gain freedom from Great Britain. This was due to Great Britain completely controlling all of the 13 Colonies’ laws. For example, Great Britain enacted the Quartering act in 1765 which required the colonists to provide housing for the…

Words 429 - Pages 2

Napoleon Bonaparte Paper

History February 28, 2014 Napoleon Bonaparte Napoleon was born on 15 August 1769 to Carlo Maria di Buonaparte and Maria Letizia Ramolino in his family's ancestral home, Casa Buonaparte, in the town of Ajaccio, the capital of the island of Corsica. He was their 4th child and 3rd son. This was a year after the island was transferred to France by the Republic of Genoa. He was christened Napoleone di Buonaparte. In his twenties, he adopted the more French-sounding Napoléon Bonaparte. He had an elder…

Words 781 - Pages 4

A Revolution In Politics: The Era Of The French Revolution And Napoleon

French Revolution and Napoleon Andalib Ismail Period 5 12/02/14 Reorganization, resistance, and rebellion The American Revolution: Causes: the victory of the British over France during the 7 years' war/French-Indian war. Along with the British policymakers trying to make the colonists pay revenue for the cost of the war, where they incurred debt for defending the colonies. 1765 Stamp Act: was passed to place a tax on colonies, but rebellions erupted, ending the tax. American and British Differences:…

Words 4569 - Pages 19

The History Of The Estates-General Of 1789

assembly) They pledged not to disband until they adopted a constitution. They achieved this constitution in 1971. The constitution set up a limited monarchy and a new Legislative Assembly had the power to make laws, collect taxes, and decided on issues of war and peace Great Fear The "Great Fear" occurred from July 20 to August 5, 1789 in France at the start of the French Revolution. Rural unrest had been present in France since the worsening grain shortage of the spring, and the grain supplies were now…

Words 5303 - Pages 22

French Revolution

rural agricultural workers, urban artisans, unskilled day laborers Tension between nobility and bourgeoisie (upper middle class) Louis XVI Louis XV died in 1774, Louis XVI took over Shy, twenty-year-old with good intentions Weak leadership American Revolution had impact on France in both practical and ideological terms French supported colonists, bankrupted crown Tax colonists? Met with anger Estates General The representative of all three estates Louis XVI – impose general tax, notables…

Words 2817 - Pages 12

Madison Wardlaw The French Revoulution Essay

civilization since 1700 Dr. Kenneth Bridges February 18, 2015 A historic event in European history: The French Revolution Upon the American Revolution, Europeans were searching for change. The Americans made the revolution look good, and this put the idea in all of Europe’s head. From where they were standing it portrayed an era of change, specifically in politics. The American Revolution proved to Europeans that the liberal political ideas of the Enlightenment were not just, crazy, out of reach thoughts…

Words 1280 - Pages 6

Scientific Science Unit 2 Notes

Alamo!” “Remember the Maine, and to Hell with Spain!” “Sic Semper Tyrannis!” “Propaganda of the Deed” UNIT 2 TOPICS • • • • • • • • The Scientific Revolution The Enlightenment The American Revolution The French Revolution Begins Radical Revolution The Age of Napoleon Latin American Independence Movements Nationalism in Europe: Italy and Germany UNIT 2: THE SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION • In the 1500s, Vesalius used observation and experimentation to understand the human body.…

Words 1722 - Pages 7

Essay about Chapter 11 Thesis

What political liabilities existed for Adams and for Jefferson in 1800? For Adam and the federalists, their Alien and Sedition Acts brought them down a lot because it caused them to have a host of enemies; also, the federalists all got ready for war by increasing public debt, and a stamp tax. For Jefferson, he was the victim of the first whispering campaign and accused of robbing a widow and her kids a trust fund and he fathered many mulatto children with his slave Sally Hemings. Also, his want for…

Words 1124 - Pages 5