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Thesis: Why Napoleon Bonaparte is regarded as one of the greatest military masterminds in the history of mankind. I. Napoleons life since birth threw education. A. Education and bad treatment of Napoleon. B.
Beginning of military career in French army. C. Accusations of treason, and beginning of new military come back. D. Favoritism by Barras for Napoleon. II.
Napoleon battles, victories and first love. A. Napoleon defeats Austrian generals B. Napoleon meets Josephine de Beauharnais. C. Napoleon fights off Austrian and forms three new republics of Italy.
D. Napoleon becomes a hero and wins Egypt. E. Napoleon gets defeated and goes back France and invades Italy once again. F. Napoleon wins the Battle of Marengo and sets up education system.
G. Napoleon dream of invading England is shattered. III Napoleon down fall. A. Napoleon defeats Prussians in the battle of Jena and captures Berlin. B.
Czar of Russia and Napoleon divide Europe. C. Napoleon's defeat in Russia. D. The Great Napoleon Retreat. E.
Overthrow of Napoleon. IV. Napoleon Bonaparte was one of the greatest military masterminds of all times. Why Napoleon Bonaparte is regarded as one of the greatest military masterminds in the history of mankind? This essay will illustrate why Napoleon Bonaparte is regarded as one of the greatest military masterminds in the history of mankind. It will show the life of Napoleon from when he was a young boy, till he died in 1821.
It will show how he deceived the French into giving him power, and how he used this power for his own interests. It will also reveal how Napoleon almost killed of an entire generation of France, and proved that all good things always come to an end. Napoleon Bonaparte was born on August 15, 1769 in Ajaccio on the island of Corsica near Italy. This was only a few months after France had annexed the island.
He had 7 brothers and sisters, and his father was a lawyer whose family stemmed from the Florentine nobility. In 1779 Napoleon went to school at Brienne in France. There he took a great interest in history, especially in the lives of great ancient generals worldwide. Napoleon was often badly treated at Brienne, because he was not as wealthy as the other kids, and very short. He also did not speak French well, because Italian was spoken on Corsica where he grew up. He studied very hard at Brienne so that he could do better then those who made fun of him.
Napoleon attended the Ecole Military School in Paris in 1784 after receiving a scholarship. This is where he received his military training. He studied to be an officer. Napoleon finished his training and joined the French army when he was 16 years old. He was appointed to an artillery regiment, and commissioned as a lieutenant of the French army. Once again he was not well liked by his fellow officers because he was short, spoke with an Italian accent.
Napoleon spent little time with his regiment. He was more concerned with trying to free his home land of Corsica, witch had been taken with force by France. Soon after being commissioned his father died, and he was forced to provide for his family. Napoleon spent the next seven years reading the works of the philosophers, and educating himself in military matters by studying the campaigns of the great military leaders of the past. The French Revolution and the European war that followed broadened his sights and presented him with new opportunities. Napoleon was a supporter of the French Revolution by all means.
He went back and forth between Paris and Ajaccio, working for the Republic. Napoleon rose quickly through the ranks and became a captain in 1792. In 1793, Corsica revolted against the Republic, and Napoleon's family had to Flee to France. The Republic was in danger. France was at war with Austria, Prussia, England, Holland, and Spain. There was a revolt in western France, and there was a great need for good officers.
At the age of 25, only one year after becoming captain, Napoleon performed so well that he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. He was given command of the artillery at Toulon, and in December of that same year, the French forced the English out of Toulon. " The commander in chief wrote: "I have no words to describe the merit of Bonaparte. Much science, as much intelligence, and too much bravery. " (Britannica Junior Encyclopedia, # 11 N-O 7). In August of 1794 Napoleon was arrested because he had been a supporter of Maximilien Robespierre.
He was accused of treason. Although he was released his career seemed to be over. Then in October of 1795, the government was threatened with a revolt in Paris. Paul Barras, commander of the home forces, appointed Napoleon to defend the capital. "With amazing swiftness Napoleon massed men and artillery at important places in Paris the attack of 30, 000 national guards was driven back by his men. About 200 men were killed on each side, but he had saved France from civil war. " (Britannica Junior Encyclopedia, # 11 N-O 7). Napoleon saved the national convention from the Parisian mob and one year later at the age of 26, was rewarded with the position of commander in chief of the interior French army in Italy.
When Napoleon accepted the position as the commander of the French Army he received a chilly reception by his generals. They thought Napoleon was no better than intriguer who owed everything to Barras's favor. None of these men were to be easily cowed by a "wild haired little runt "of only twenty six. Yet, as Augereau one of the generals admitted, something about this Bonaparte frightened them. That day Napoleon issued the following order, "Soldiers! You are badly fed, almost naked.
The government owes you a great deal, but it can do nothing for you. Your patience and courage do you honor, but give you neither worldly goods nor glory. I shall lead you into the most fertile plains in the world where you will find big cities and wealthy provinces. You will win honor, fame and riches. Soldiers of the Army of Italy! Could courage and constancy possibly fail you?" Once Napoleon took over it didn't take long for him to turn the group of ill disciplined soldiers into an effective fighting force.
In a series of stunning victories, Napoleon defeated four Austrian generals in succession, each army he fought got bigger and bigger. This forced Austria and its allies to make peace with France. "Throughout his Italian campaigns, Napoleon won the confidence of his men by his energy, charm, and ability to comprehend complex issues quickly and make decisions rapidly. These qualities, combined with his keen intelligence, ease with words, and supreme confidence in himself, enabled him throughout the rest of his life to influence people and win their firm support" (Western Civilization and Europe Civilization volume II 697 - 698). "No longer was Napoleon a poor Corsican with shabby clothes and cheap boots. He dressed well, took part in the life of Paris, and often visited the grand house of Barras. There he met Josephine de Beauharnais, the widow of a French nobleman. " (Britannica Junior Encyclopedia, # 11 N-O 7) On March 9, 1796, Napoleon married Josephine and two days later left to command the army that was fighting the Austrians in Italy. On April 10 he started a new campaign, and with a series of clever movements he split the opposing Austrian army into three separate groups.
Napoleon then defeated each one of them. This was first example of his rules of war, "Always be superior to the enemy at the point of attack. " Three weeks later he crossed the Po River. Napoleon lead an attack and attempted to storm the bridge over the Adda River. "He charged right into the blast of the Austrian guns. The army went wild with enthusiasm and nicknamed him the "Little Corporal. " (Britannica Junior Encyclopedia, # 11 N-O 7).
Napoleon formed three republics in northern Italy, and made peace with Naples without even telling the government in Pairs. In July the Austrians sent three powerful waves of men through the Alps. In only six days, Napoleon and his men attacked each wave of soldiers, and defeated each one separately. When the third was defeated in a two days' battle at Rivoli on January 14 th and 15 th, 1797, he invaded Austria.
In October of 1797, he signed a treaty of Campo-Formio. With this treaty France was given Belgium and lands along the Rhine River. "Napoleon's speed and his cleverness baffled his enemies. Besides the fighting, this 28 -year-old general made his own treaties, and conducted his own diplomacy, He kept the Directory (The French executive body) happy by sending home all the money and works of art which he could seize. " (Britannica Junior Encyclopedia, # 11 N-O 7) In December 1797, Napoleon returned to Paris as a conquering hero. When he returned he received a huge welcome.
At this time he began thinking of pursuing more political power and military power. He wanted to become the next Alexander the Great. The Director wanted to get rid of Napoleon as soon as possible. He felt that Napoleon was getting too popular and too powerful in Paris. He was given command of an army in training to invade England, but believing that the French were unready for such an invasion, Napoleon instead asked the Director if he could take a large army to Egypt. He proposed that by attacking Egypt, it would threaten England hold on India, a major source of British wealth.
The Director gladly let him go. In May 1798, Napoleon sailed to Egypt, and won the Battle of the Pyramids. On July 23 he entered the city of Cairo. But the British controlled the sea, and on August 1 Horatio Nelson, an English admiral, lead an attack that destroyed the French Navy in Aboukir Bay.
Napoleon could no longer keep in touch with France. The British had successfully cut off supplies from Napoleon's men in Egypt. Napoleon then advanced in to Syria, but was stop...
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Research essay sample on Napoleon Bonaparte Britannica Junior
