Essay Proposal on Napoleon Bonaparte

It is known that Napoleon Bonaparte (1769 ”“1821) was an outstanding French military commander and political leader who had an enormous impact on the Western culture. Napoleon Bonaparte was a powerful Emperor of France from 1804 to 1815. It is not a secret that his legal reforms, which were called the Napoleonic Code, had great influence on the civil law jurisdictions of many countries of the world. He played an important role in the wars against France, established the so-called hegemony over the most part of Europe and wanted to spread the ideas of the French Revolution and consolidate an imperial monarchy. Napoleon was born on the island of Corsica, in the city of Ajaccio on August 15, 1769 (Landau 11). Corsica was under French rule. Napoleon was born in the family of minor nobility. He was the second son and had 6 sisters and brothers. In 1779, he entered a military school at Brienne-le-Château. Napoleon spoke French with Italian accent. In 1784, he graduated and received a commission as the second lieutenant of artillery. It is known that Napoleon took an active part in the French Revolution of 1789. Napoléon approved himself as a brilliant military strategist, who had sufficient military knowledge to apply practically. As a good artillery officer, Napoleon could use artillery innovatively as an effective mobile force for supporting infantry attacks. However, in his life and career, Napoleon made many serious mistakes, and was faced with many difficulties which led to failures. For example, in 1809, Napoléon wanted to enforce a commercial boycott of Britain that was called the “Continental System”. Although he invaded Spain, his army was unable to suppress the Spanish revolt. In addition, Napoleon lost war against Russia at the Battle of Borodino in 1812. One more defeat was at the Battle of Leipzig in 1813. The next serious failure was in 1814, when Britain, Austria, Russia and Prussia created an alliance against Napoléon’s power. The final defeat of Napoleon was at the Battle of Waterloo on the 18^th of June 1815.  Napoléon was imprisoned and then he was exiled to the island of Saint Helena, where died on May 5, 1821. It is known that Napoléon was twice married: his first wife was Joséphine de Beauharnais and his second wife was Archduchess Marie Louise of Austria. The analytical essay will discuss the major achievements of Napoleon Bonaparte, including social, economic, political and military achievements. Moreover, the paper will evaluate his achievements and identify the impact of this outstanding leader and military commander on the world.

Annotated Bibliography

Blaufarb, Rafe. Napoleon: What Made Him Great? Military History, March 2012, Vol. 28 Issue 6.

This article investigates the major contributions made by the outstanding French Emperor Napoléon Bonaparte to the art of contemporary military leadership that proves his greatness. It is known that Napoleon Bonaparte’s leadership style was based on the notion that ordinary soldiers were amenable to the call of honor. His peculiar characteristics were rejection of the republicanism’s egalitarian strain, institution of the Légion d’honneur, and development of the initiatives to adopt camaraderie between his soldiers and himself. This source can be very useful in the analytical essay.

Collins, John M. Military Strategy. Potomac Books, Inc., 2002. Print.

This book helps to find more information about Napoleon’s strategy and achievements in his military career. This source can be effectively used in the analytical essay as it helps to evaluate Napoleon Bonaparte’s success and failures.

Goodlad, Graham. Napoleon at War: Secrets of Success, Seeds of Failure? Graham Goodlad Examines the Controverisal Reputation of Napoleon Bonaparte as a Military Commander. History Review. Issue 65. 2009.

This article discusses the major military achievements of Napoleon Bonaparte. The author of the article pays special attention to Napoleon’s qualities as a commander, his military genius, and his impact on history. This source of information can be effectively used in the paper as it helps to learn more about Napoleon at war.

Landau, Elaine. Napoleon Bonaparte. Twenty-First Century Books, 2006. Print.

This book gives an opportunity to learn more about an outstanding military commander Napoleon Bonaparte, about his life, his numerous achievements and his traits of character. Elaine Landau pays special attention not only to the biography of the military leader, but also to Napoleon Bonaparte’s strategy and tactics he used at war. This source will provide reliable information on the military and political successes of Napoleon Bonaparte.