NAPOLEON

The Role of Napoleon in French Revolution



The Role of Napoleon in French Revolution

Introduction

A revolution is a change, a sudden and major change in the life of a nation. The term revolution applies to many fields: social, political, economy, culture, morality, science and technical. On the political front, a revolution is the abolition of bloody and sometimes brutal manner of the established order and political regime in place and its replacement by another form of government. The characteristic of the revolution against a revolt, an insurrection, a reform or a coup is the establishment of an irreversible new order. Although often present in the political revolution, violence is not necessary to describe it. What matters is primarily the extent and pace of change.

The significance of Napoleon and the distinction of modern warfare had less to do with the tactics or weapons used in warfare, characteristics that remained basically unchanged for over a century. Rather, what distinguished Napoleon was his ability to exploit French nationalism, a product of the revolution, to draw on personnel and resources in sufficient quantity to wage extended total wars.

The French Revolution

Great French Revolution reasonably is regarded as the beginning of the modern era. However, the revolution in France itself was part of a broader movement that began before 1789 and which affected many countries in Europe and North America. "The old order (ancient régime) was undemocratic in its very essence. With special privileges of the first two estates the nobility and clergy to strengthen its position, relying on a system of various state institutions. Board monarch rested on these privileged classes. "Absolute" monarchs can exercise only such a policy and pursue only those reforms that strengthened the power of these classes.

French revolution shook the foundations of the old regime. It not only started conflicts between the aristocracy and the royal ministers, but also in economic and ideological factors.

At the same time, some representatives of all three estates were under the influence of educational ideas. Famous writers Voltaire, Montesquieu, Diderot, and Rousseau suggested introducing the English constitution in France and the court system in which they believed guarantees of individual liberties and effective government. The success of the War of Independence in the U.S. provided a renewed hope to the strong-minded Frenchmen.

The Rise of Napoleon

Among the military that supported the Board, was Napoleon Bonaparte, who was soon to take power through a military coup, taking advantage of the prestige he had earned in the various military victories in other countries. In 1799 the government took over France and was crowned First Consul, concentrating ever more power, up to the emperor in 1804. Over time, the bourgeoisie supported Napoleon as he kept many of the principles stated in the Constitution, especially those who benefited the wealthiest bourgeoisie and prevented the return of the Jacobin republic and the old aristocratic regime.

Napoleon became First Consul. Although it was accepted and ratified by the elaborate constitution, in fact it was only a mask for the military ...