Unlike his contemporary warfare theorists, such as Clausewitz and Jomini who focused on explaining and understanding the principles of war, Napoleon Bonaparte’s instinctive natural perceptions guided him through the victories that led to his Empire over Europe. In 1769, the same year as Napoleon 's birth, the French defeated his homeland Corsica1. Growing up while experiencing his Corsican cultural identity disappearing under the influence of the French created resentment in the young Napoleon. Because the world was in a constant state of warfare, children went into military training at a young age2. The records of his teachers’ notes describe Napoleon 's youth at military school as solitary, but successful. Being foreign holding strong feelings
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Napoleon returned to Corsica with his family, but found opposition in his involvement in Corsican politics3. After his exile from Corsica for unpopular politics, Napoleon took widowed mother and siblings back to France, where he continued with the French army. Commanding as an alterity officer, Napoleon 's first victory was during the Siege of Toulon4 in 1793. Already notorious for his leadership skills and military potential at 26, Napoleon took the place of the former alterity commander after the man was wounded under command of General Carteaux. Several seasons later, the British hold on Toulon was weak enough that Napoleon moved his troops towards the docks and opened fired on British and Spanish forces6. During his weakening of the enemy forces at Toulon, Napoleon demonstrated his tactical skills at leading and dispersing his troops5. He used offensive strategy, destroying the enemy’s weakest points before moving in for the final takeover. On December 19th, the city was officially under French control with Napoleon named the hero. Napoleon 's unity with the French reclaiming Toulon showed his own loyalty to the French objective. He was also creating unity in his first loyal soldiers, men who would soon unite under Napoleon 's leadership. After Napoleon reclaimed Toulon, remaining British or Spanish soldiers and royalists were shot. Napoleon utilized the principles of war without because …show more content…
Here in the foreign desert, Napoleon displayed his first recognized feat of tactical genius. Outnumbered by almost double, Napoleon used the strategy of ordering his infantry into square formations. By maneuvering around the enemy 's single force, Napoleon used the tactic of attacking first the right side of the enemy cavalry force, and then the left. Additionally, Napoleon used massive cannon and gun fire to destroy the opposition’s army who not armed or familiar with modernized weapons. In The Battle of the Pyramids, Napoleon surprised the enemy with his tactic of out maneuvering them by dividing his mass. Had the French charged in a single formation, they would have likely been defeated. Napoleon recognized that by confusing and surrounding the enemy, his force was stronger despite numbers. Since the enemy was ignorant of modern weapon power, they were surprised that such a small divided force had such powerful weapons. Napoleon showed remarkable improvisational skills and bravery by commanding with innovative strategy that introduced a new war of battlefield
Napoleon returned to Corsica with his family, but found opposition in his involvement in Corsican politics3. After his exile from Corsica for unpopular politics, Napoleon took widowed mother and siblings back to France, where he continued with the French army. Commanding as an alterity officer, Napoleon 's first victory was during the Siege of Toulon4 in 1793. Already notorious for his leadership skills and military potential at 26, Napoleon took the place of the former alterity commander after the man was wounded under command of General Carteaux. Several seasons later, the British hold on Toulon was weak enough that Napoleon moved his troops towards the docks and opened fired on British and Spanish forces6. During his weakening of the enemy forces at Toulon, Napoleon demonstrated his tactical skills at leading and dispersing his troops5. He used offensive strategy, destroying the enemy’s weakest points before moving in for the final takeover. On December 19th, the city was officially under French control with Napoleon named the hero. Napoleon 's unity with the French reclaiming Toulon showed his own loyalty to the French objective. He was also creating unity in his first loyal soldiers, men who would soon unite under Napoleon 's leadership. After Napoleon reclaimed Toulon, remaining British or Spanish soldiers and royalists were shot. Napoleon utilized the principles of war without because …show more content…
Here in the foreign desert, Napoleon displayed his first recognized feat of tactical genius. Outnumbered by almost double, Napoleon used the strategy of ordering his infantry into square formations. By maneuvering around the enemy 's single force, Napoleon used the tactic of attacking first the right side of the enemy cavalry force, and then the left. Additionally, Napoleon used massive cannon and gun fire to destroy the opposition’s army who not armed or familiar with modernized weapons. In The Battle of the Pyramids, Napoleon surprised the enemy with his tactic of out maneuvering them by dividing his mass. Had the French charged in a single formation, they would have likely been defeated. Napoleon recognized that by confusing and surrounding the enemy, his force was stronger despite numbers. Since the enemy was ignorant of modern weapon power, they were surprised that such a small divided force had such powerful weapons. Napoleon showed remarkable improvisational skills and bravery by commanding with innovative strategy that introduced a new war of battlefield