Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon Bonaparte is a controversial figure in the history of French and European rule. Who was the man behind the actions, and did he accomplish his goals? Was France better because of Napoleon?

Long after his death, Napoleon Bonaparte continued to impact the world. His example helped spread the ideal of meritocracy and encourage the overthrow of the Old Order throughout Europe. He influenced law, military strategy, Egyptology, and numerous other fields.

This essay discusses Napoleon's stunning return to France after his exile in Elba. During his last "Hundred Days" in power, Napoleon managed to amass a new army, which confronted the British and Prussian forces in Belgium.

Despite victories on the battlefield, Napoleon's army in Russia was undermined by the Russian army's scorched-earth policy and guerilla warfare. Upon entering Moscow, Napoleon's forces found it in flames. This essay describes Napoleon's early Russian campaign.

When all seemed to be going well for Napoleon in 1811, he was betrayed by his ally, the Russian Emperor Alexander I. In response, the Emperor of the French gathered an army of 600,000 troops and prepared to invade Russia.

Between 1807 and 1810, Napoleon made peace with Russia, fought rebels in Spain, once again defeated Austria, and fathered an heir to the throne. This essay discusses the military and political developments in Napoleon's empire during those years.

As ever more threats to the French Directory accumulated in Europe, Napoleon is forced to abandon his troops in Egypt and return to Paris, under promises that he will be granted a leadership role. When he finds that he has been deceived, he takes power into his own hands.

After his escape from Corsica, Napoleon returned to France in 1792 and distinguished himself during the storm of the Tuileries Royal Palace. In 1793, he became a celebrity for having saved France from invasion by leading the French to victory at Toulon.

Prior to shaping the world with his deeds, Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) needed to win the struggle against the social and attitudinal forces that were all staked against one genius with a will of steel. This essay discusses Napoleon's humble beginnings in Corsica.

Napoleon convinces the French Assembly that they should pay for his plan to conquer the Egypt and the Holy Land

The first of a 4-part study demonstrating that fame is no protection from stupidity.

The Battle of Waterloo on June 18, 1815, was Napoleon's final military encounter and a defeat from which he would not recover. This essay discusses Napoleon's last battle, as well as his final abdication, exile to St. Helena, and death in 1821.

After the 1799 coup d'etat, Napoleon was elected First Consul of France. He now needed to achieve a decisive victory in the war against Austria. This essay describes Napoleon's stunning victory at Marengo in 1800 against a numerically superior Austrian force.

After his brilliant victories in Italy, Napoleon made a daring attempt to undermine the British Empire by conquering Egypt. This essay describes the initial successes of Napoleon's Egyptian Campaign, as well as his actions to improve the lives of the Egyptian people.

One might think visiting a cemetery while on vacation to be creepy or spooky - but at the Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, France, you can do nearly as much stargazing as in Hollywood!