Napoleon Bonaparte

Essay # 55705

History > European
History > European - 18th Century
History > European - 19th century
History > Leaders

Napoleon Bonaparte

Uses evidence to support the idea that Napoleon truly believed he was going to reform France for the better, despite his egotistical nature.

1,780 words () | 6 sources | APA | 2005 United States

Paper Summary:

The combination of ambition, ego, and drive was what allowed Napoleon Bonaparte to institute various beneficial reforms, but these very traits also caused his good intentions to result in cruelty and despotism. This paper presents an analysis of Napoleon's social and financial reforms, his reorganization of the government, religious tolerance, and territorial expansion. It supports the assertion that Napoleon truly believed he was going to reform France for the better; however, his underlying egotistical character was what ultimately prompted many of those reforms to take a turn for the worst.

From the Paper:

"Napoleon, in seeking to become "a warrior hero who was to eventually save France", embarked on the creation of a unified European Empire with him as ruler (Dwyer, 128). Driven by his genuine belief that he was destined to create a peaceful France, Napoleon viciously sought imperial power. He aimed to reduce British power, strengthen his military position, and improve imperial trade in Europe through his Continental Blockade. The achievement of these goals undoubtedly would have benefited the French people. However, the Continental Blockade was an ineffectual means of achieving these goals and was driven by Napoleon's ego, which caused him to focus solely on hurting Britain so that no other nation was more powerful than France."