Second French Empire

military leader during the French Revolution, Napoleon transformed the French Republic into the First French Empire and became Emperor of France. This man created one of history’s greatest Empires, the Napoleonic code, and indirectly created the Congress of Vienna. These actions would embed Napoleon in Europe’s history forever. Napoleons actions kicked off the 19th century with the creation of the First French Empire and becoming its Emperor. Created in late 1804, the French Empire went through…

later became a lieutenant in the French army. Subsequently, various victorious wars, he became Commander of the French armies. Napoleon soon acquired the faith of the people and carried out the coup d’état. Coup d’état was an overthrow of the directory (the government at the time). As a result, Napoleon established a republic known as the consulate. Soon after, Napoleon’s army conquered the Austrian, Prussian, and Russian armies. Through this, he created a Grand Empire, which consisted of three…

powerful nationalistic symbol and hero in the eyes of the French, due to multiple reasons. Some would argue that Napoleon was a tyrannical individual who was selfish, greedy, and used propaganda to secure his position as emperor for life. However, such individuals fail to recognize how Napoleon’s accomplishments lead to the modification and immense improvement of French society. The multiple domestic policy reforms and expansion of French influence over Europe developed a sense of pride and…

In order to understand the effect of Napoleon Bonaparte’s role in France, it is first necessary to understand something of Napoleon’s life, understand the ideas of The Enlightenment and understand the stage upon which the French Revolution occurred. These are massive and complex topics which can receive only the most cursory of glances in a short essay. Napoleon was born in 1769 on the island of Corsica, which had only belonged to France for a year at the time of his birth. It was an Italian…

“Napoleon Bonaparte, the most extraordinary character who has ever yet figured on the great theatre of the world,” is how he was viewed in the early 19th century, during his rise to power, after the French Revolution. However, today the character of Napoleon and his achievements sparks a great debate between historians. Was he a true revolutionary or a dictator? Was he a reformer or repressive authoritarian? It would be simple to conclude that Napoleon did not promote the values of the…

Corsica. Napoleon was the second of eight surviving children born to Carlo Buonaparte. Napoleon family was not wealthy. As a boy, Napoleon went to school in mainland France, where he learned French language. He graduated from a French military academy in 1785. He quickly rose through the military ranks, and through some additional help from his friends in the military, found himself as commander of the French republican at the Siege of Toulon in 1793. Napoleon then became a second lieutenant…

at that time. His parents gave him and his brother Joseph the possibility to get an education in the College d'Autun in France. Napoleon graduated early from the military academy and became second lieutenant of artillery shortly after. He returned to Corsica in 1786. He joined the resistance against the French occupation after he returned home and sided with Pasquale Paoli, who was allied with Napoleon’s father. Not long after that Napoleon and Paoli had differences in their opinions, and when…

The French Revolution started in 1789. After ten years chaos, in 1799, the general Napoleon seized control and, in 1804, proclaimed himself emperor. Though he had tried, failed attempt to unite all of Europe. With the revolution, French artists searched its moral and political purpose as known as Neoclassicists. The other pursued human nature as known as Romanticists. I would like to introduce two paintings from both Neoclassical periods as well as the Romantic to explain how the French…

strongest leaders France has ever had, but he lead France to their biggest down fall. Napoleon became a strong leader when France needed it the most after the French Revolution. Napoleon brought new ideas to the French government and the lives of civilians. He changed France in many positive and negative ways including, changing the French government, industrializing , and creating the Napoleonic Code. Napoleon took control of France in 1799 the government at this time was extremely delicate…

would jump at any chance he could get to be a part of the action. Murat was once again sent on a diplomatic mission to Genoa. There He delivered a message to the senate demanding an end to any secret Austrian trade and an end to any attacks made on French soldiers. After his return from meeting with the senators Murat went back to Mincio and under the orders of Serurier he was to try and invade the fortress of Mantua. He was to go by boat at night through the Po River swamps and make his way…