Napoleon Bonaparte Hero Or Tyrant

A hero can be defined as a common man who rises to greatness on the basis of sheer talent. Not only did Napoleon Bonaparte better France through his domestic policy, he also expanded the territory of France with many battles won through strategic warfare. He as well gave the citizens of France the sense of national identity and pride they needed. His many accomplishments modified the French society and ultimately the civilized world. Napoleon is sometimes viewed as a tyrant, but ultimately he showed more heroic nationalistic traits than tyrannical. On, Napoleon: Summit to Greatness, they said, “Napoleon goes in with bayonets. But also with a civil code.”(Napoleon Summit of Greatness) Others will say that Napoleon was very selfish by always …show more content…
Napoleon should be considered a hero because he rebuilt France through Napoleonic codes, economic reform, and indomitable military power.
Napoleon Bonaparte was considered by most, to be the savior of the French Revolution by ending it and putting in place, a government that brought equality and stability to a torn country. He is most noted for his Civil Code, which was established in 1804. (Napoleon: Hero or Tyrant) The Napoleonic code gave France its first logical set of laws concerning property, colonial affairs, and individual rights. (Napoleon: Hero or Tyrant) Not only did his code affect France but it was also very influential on developing countries outside of Europe, especially in the Middle East, that were attempting to modernize their countries through legal reforms. The Napoleonic Code ensured that one would have a chance to gain wealth and status. It allowed freedom of religion, and specified that government jobs should go to the most qualified. Napoleon also made many advancements in schooling. Napoleon set in motion a system of secular and public education reforms that are the foundation for the modern educational systems in France and much of Europe.(The Age of …show more content…
His attempt to unify France was accomplished due to his exceptional qualities. Napoleon was intelligent, self-disciplined, had everlasting energy and a willingness to plan things out in detail. “Politically, France had suffered a full decade of revolutionary turmoil by 1799, making the government unstable and corrupt” (The Age of Napoleon). The people had despondent attitudes because of economic unrest and longed for a stable government that would make their lives more secure. Napoleon divided France into 83 departments whose governors he appointed centrally. He centralized the tax system, which is still used today and established the Bank of France to stabilize the economy. (The rise of Napoleon) Not only did Napoleon completely change the government he also made peace with the Church with the Concordat of 1801. Napoleon recognized Catholicism as the religion of the majority of the people. Napoleon was one of the most religiously tolerant leaders in the history of Europe. Not only did he allow religious freedom among Catholics, but was supportive of Protestants and Jews as well. He established religious tolerance because he truly believed in the equality of all citizens no matter what they believed in. He once said, "Faith is beyond the reach of the law. It is the most personal possession of man, and no one has the right to demand and account for it."(The Age of Napoleon) Napoleon