Essay Example about Napoleon's Reign

Napoleon, as with most individuals, was complex in character. He began his reign concerned for people and the revolution. However, over time, power corrupted Napoleon’s mind and his care for the people became a facade. In becoming the embodiment of Rousseau's general will, Napoleon abused the trust of the people and manipulated his way into an imperialistic venture. While his strategies worked for a period of time, his limitless ambitions outgrew his charisma and would lead to the French eventually recognizing Napoleon's self-serving tactics. In essence, Napoleon was an admirable ruler who greatly improved the socioeconomic conditions of France, however his intentions for doing so progressed from fulfilling revolutionary ideals to fulfilling his own agenda.

In 18th century France, political instability and poverty were at an all time high. Early on, Napoleon made a name for himself by helping his generals win wars and rising through the ranks to where, as a general himself, he defeated the armies of Sardinia’s King Victor in 1796 (Proctor, 7/7/22). Napoleon's clever military strategies and portrayal of himself as “the child of the revolution” were highly appealing to the struggling French state. To the French, Napoleon represented the very ideals they craved: hope, power, and prosperity. Due to his charisma and the support of the French people, Napoleon easily convinced the French directory to transfer their power to him and thus began his rule. 

At the beginning of his reign, Napoleon delivered on his promises, and the French had more liberty than ever before. In the Code Napoleon, Napoleon established freedom of religion and declared all men equal in the eyes of the law regardless of rank or character (Winks 393). In addition, he improved the honesty of taxation by making it based on personal wealth, as outlined in Article 13 of the Declaration of the Rights of Man, “A common contribution…in proportion to their means” (Rogers 101). In just 5 years, France goes from bankruptcy to an economic surplus (Proctor 7/7/22). By improving the standard of living in France, the labor class, which represented 97% of the population, became strong supporters of Napoleon. On the political front, Napoleon replaced the prevalent patronage system with a system of merit. Such an elimination of corruption allowed Napoleon to raise an army that became one of the most feared in Europe despite the severe lack of resources (Winks 395). In doing so, Napoleon established the ideas of the revolution not only in France, but in Austria and Italy. Thus, Napoleon became a revered ruler who was capable of creating change within the whole of Europe. 

As the French surrendered their freedom for Napoleon’s deliverance of stability, Napoleon became the “embodiment of the general will”. Now having his people’s trust, Napoleon began to establish a dictatorship. For instance, Napoleon created the Consulate government. This model had many levels of government to mimic a democracy. However, in reality, members of each level were to be appointed by Napoleon and thus the power laid with him. By 1802, Napoleon persuaded legislators to make him first consul for life, able to pick a successor, and amend the constitution (Winks 392). From this it becomes clear that Napoleon became all too consumed by power and used Rousseau’s idea of the general will to further strengthen it. In addition, Napoleon attempted to further increase his authority by manipulating the people into believing that their own benefits aligned with his self-interest. This is evident through the establishment of the ill-judged continental system. Although this system aimed to help the French economy by raising the value of domestic goods, it also coincided with Napoleon’s goal of controlling Europe. In trying to force its conquered allies to cease trade with Great Britain, Napoleon’s plan backfires and France loses. This is because while France’s exports decline in value, Great Britain’s remain largely unaffected. Napoleon’s attempt of economic warfare also backfired as the impressment of American seamen caused the Anglo American War (Winks 396) and further cost the French economically and politically. Through this affair, Napoleon’s capabilities came into question as he began to confuse his hunger for power for his intent to expand the rights of the people. 

The progression of Napoleon was also evident in his increasing lack of morality. At first, Napoleon’s questionable ethics were made apparent by the use of totrute and force made permitted under his code. A more extreme display of his apathy towards others can be seen in his kidnapping of the Bourbon Prince. Despite the prince being discovered to be innocent of being the conspirators' choice to overtake the throne, Napoleon ordered his execution (Winks 393). However, it was Napoleon’s overtaking of the church that truly brought his morality into question. At first, through Concordat, Napoleon established police regulations on the church. To further establish his dominance over the church, Napoleon would later snatch the crown from the pope’s hand and crown himself as the Emperor of the French. Finally, Napoleon would arrest the Pope and send him to Savona (Proctor 7/7/22). In having such audacity, Napoleon made it clear that he was the Leviathan of France and would do whatever he saw as necessary, even if it defied the church. Although Napoleon claimed that his actions were for the people, in reality they were a means to satisfy his self interest. In defying the church, Napoleon essentially demonstrated his belief that he is above God himself. This highlights Napoleon’s hypocrisy, as he humbly presented himself as ”The Emperor of the French',' and yet felt entitled enough to prioritize his goal of conquest over their natural rights. 

Internationally, Napoleon’s ambition was extraordinary. Napoleon was arguably best characterized by his powerful abilities in negotiation. This was best seen in the 1802 Peace of Amines treaty with Great Britain. Although Britain won the naval war by 1801, in the treaty they were forced to surrender parts of their colonial conquests (Winks 394). This demonstrates Napoleon’s ability to manipulate not only his people, but other rulers. In the case of Great Britain, although they won the war, they were convinced into giving up territory to France with nothing in return as Napoleon refused to dismantle the continental system.

Although the ambition of Napoleon was clearly advantageous to France, in time it became a weakness. This was particularly visible in the Peninsular War with Spain. After Napoleon overthrew the Spanish royals and made his brother, Joseph, King, the Spanish led a revolt. Napoleon had an immense advantage in manpower with three hundred thousand men (Winks 396). Yet despite this, in 1812, the Spanish won the war. The Spanish victory was made possible because Napoleon sent a significant part of his army away to invade Russia. This is a key development for Napoleon. Prior to and at the beginning of this reign, Napoleon was celebrated for his clever military strategies. However now, Napoleon was spreading himself too thin as his hunger for power was clouding his judgment. Ambition, the very thing that gave Napoleon power, had grown too far. He no longer pretended to prioritize revolution or liberty but instead became concerned with his domination of Europe. Rather than recognize his limits, Napoleon’s stubbornness prompted him to continue his attempt of expanding his empire. 

Napoleon’s ego was key in his downfall as his dominating self agenda would cost him allies. This is evident in the Russian campaign. In 1808, when Czar Alexander of Russia and Napoleon met, they were unable to reach an agreement. On Alexander’s end, this was because he feared that Napoleon would “absorb Russia’s acquisitions from the partitions of Poland'' (Winks 398). In this case, Napoleon’s reputation for lacking integrity cost him a grave war with Russia in which less than a quarter of his army survived (Winks 398). While his men struggled to survive the retreat through the harsh Russian terrain, Napoleon abandoned them for France. This further confirmed to rulers that Napoleon was not to be trusted as a ruler who turned on his own men would not hesitate to turn on his allies. Additionally, it became clear to the French that Napoleon had neglected the ideals of liberty and that his promises were only a ruse for him to gain power.

Napoleon’s stubbornness extended to 1814, when the united countries of Austria, Russia, Prussia, and Great Britain occupied France. This was a fundamental point in Napoleon’s downfall because when he ordered his marshalls to continue fighting the war, they refused (Winks 399). Napoleon, once a feared ruler, was now being disobeyed by his own men due to them having grown weary of his thirst for power. 

Ultimately, Napoleon brought many favorable changes to France. In many ways, he was in fact “the child of the revolution”. However, as Napoleon's power progressed, so did his manipulation, bloodthirst, and narcissism. Napoleon stopped being concerned for the French people and began seeing them as a tool for his own means. Rather than being the emperor of the French, Napoleon sought to be the emperor of the world—not for the establishment of liberty or justice, but for his self-indulgent ego.