Napoleon: Hero Persuasive Essay
A hero is someone who has a vision for a better future, acts on their visions, and has the perseverance to get through obstacles. Throughout history there have been countless heroes: Charlemagne, Alexander the Great, and many others. In 18th century France, during the French Revolution, one of the greatest heroes in history emerged. His name was Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon Bonaparte is considered a hero in French society because he fought his way to power and protected France, Napoleon was able to create unity and stability, both political and economic, in one of the most powerful nations in Europe at the time.
Napoleon was not only an excellent leader, but also a dominate war strategist. Napoleon Bonaparte is a hero because he gave people rights and freedoms, forming an amazing educational system and reconstruction of France, along with his excellent skills with militarism, Napoleon became one of the greatest if not the greatest French leaders and heroes of all time. Napoleon started his military career as a junior officer in the French artillery; he was well noted for his commitment to his duty and his efficiency in his work.
Napoleon was a passionate man who always put his own life on the line for his fellow comrades. Napoleon’s ability to risk himself in the line of duty to his country also solidifies his heroic status. Napoleon Bonaparte was a brave man and although he risked his life for many men he rarely made a foolish decision. Napoleon was unquestionably a born leader. Often in the harshest conditions he took this role to protect his fellow comrades. This is what made Napoleon an excellent war strategist. He wasn’t the type of man to sit back and watch.
He took it upon himself to fight, again he established the true antithesis of hero, and by doing this meant that he had the ability to see what excactly was happening and how to counter all in the protection of France. Later in his military career he becomes general of the forces in Italy. The French were losing the war until Napoleon came along and restored the army to its former glory. In the decisive battle with Austria and their allies the Piedmonts, Napoleon and his army were outnumbered 38,000 to 63,000 but with his superior military strategy he crushed them and liberated Italy.
This is a true testament to his abilities as a brilliant war strategist as well as further indoctrinating him as a hero. Napoleon established a civil code that lives on to this day across the world. It made all people equal before the law regardless of whether someone was of royal status or a peasant. Life under Napoleon’s regime was far better than people had under various other regimes. In Napoleonic influenced areas people were citizens not subjects. The people had some power over who was elected to government positions, even if it was mostly the wealthy.
Life for many was still difficult in Napoleon’s regime but the one major difference was that the people could actually make something of themselves without regard to their nobility. Napoleon Bonaparte brought the perspective of getting a job based upon being skilled in a particular field of expertise. In other countries across Europe, unless you were of noble status or were undoubtedly wealthy enough to marry into a noble blood line then you were reduced to a life of mediocrity and hard work at best. Under Napoleon anyone could achieve what they wanted based on their experience, not their bloodline.
When people say Napoleon was cruel and unfair remember that without him your linage is what defined your future not what you were capable of accomplishing. The French Revolution and Napoleon each played their role in the development of France.
During much of the middle and late period of the French Revolution the young General Napoleon Bonaparte had been winning battles and gaining great popularity and respect among the French citizens. This was largely due to his image as a savior of the Revolution. (In 1799, he participated in a coup d’etat which established a three person consulate with him as first consul.
Under the newly established system of government, most of the power rested with Napoleon. On December 2, 1804, First Consul Bonaparte became Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, and his control over the government became complete. ) While Napoleon is often viewed in the perspective of his military prowess, he should also be considered one of history’s great governors. Napoleon set out to make France the greatest nation of Europe. To accomplish his goals in restoring France Napoleon decided to rebuild churches, make banks, remodel the roads, and rewrite the legal system of France.
When Napoleon became Emperor in December of 1804, he became even more concerned in the educational system thus becoming more interested in it. It is clear that the new system of education introduced by Napoleon had more than one purpose. It was intended, of course, to bestow an educated elite class that could help run the country and the military. It was also designed to provide for an increased middle class; a middle class that would be successful and therefor more obedient to the law. This was one of his main concerns when taking the throne.
The last thing he wanted was his people to revolt and cause more chaos then necessary. As many people believe Napoleon is a hero, there are many that consider him a tyrant. The argument can be made that Napoleon let the power go to his head.
An example of this is his tour in Egypt. Napoleon invaded Egypt for much of no good reason other than to gain fame. Although Napoleon was a great leader and war strategist he went to a country that had no guns or means of making them, a place with no way to get supplies do to the fact his ships were destroyed after landing in Egypt, and this lead to his downfall.
Napoleon conquered Egypt because they had no real means of fighting against guns. While Napoleon stayed in Egypt he researched its history of which is unknown to most of Europe. Napoleon created many forms of propaganda because he brings artist everywhere he adventures. Although Napoleon ruled Egypt that didn’t mean he had the resources to keep it eventually he was forced to flee do to Turkey’s army. So, Napoleon fled leaving his army of 35,000 troops to fend for themselves.
When Napoleon returned to France he displayed his works of art and made it seem as it was a victory. To most this is extremely cruel, but some will argue it was for the best because at the time Frances government was falling apart and Napoleon restored the government from going into complete chaos. This could have led to another Reign Of Terror so was it for the best? Even when considered a tyrant for these actions by some his decisions further protected France’s interest. In conclusion, Napoleon Bonaparte, was more of a hero than tyrant.
His thoughtful calculations and strategies as the leader of France gave him the right to be labeled a hero. Napoleon was able to create unity and stability, both political and economic, in one of the most powerful nations in Europe, he gave people rights and freedoms, forming an amazing educational system and reconstruction of France. His actions in battle and leadership instill heroic qualities that are hard to contest. Though many know of his diminutive stature his reputation as a hero is colossal.
