Thoughts on Napoleon

I read about Napoleon in history class in school, but I got to know his story in detail only a few years ago. Recently, a new movie on Napoleon was released. I felt the movie didn't do justice to the story of Napoleon. I have mildly strong opinions on Napoleon and I think often about him for some reason. He's like my equivalent of Roman Empire.

A reason why I find him fascinating is because his story is filled with irony and contradictions. He's brilliant and but also an oppressor. I feel people often misunderstand him and compare him to Hitler, which is really an insult.

So why is Napoleon's story interesting, and what make him special?

The Corsican Outsider Who Conquered France

Napoleon's journey is interesting because he started as a rebel from Corsica and went on to became the Emperor of France, a path marked by both irony and ambition. He was born as 'Napoleone di Buonaparte' in Corsica, and was initially a subject of Italian influence, only to become a fervent French nationalist (This is funny because the Italians and French today are not so fond of each other).

His family was also initially strongly involved in fighting against the French in the Revolutionary Wars until 'Napoelone' was born. However, his father realized it was better to align themselves with the French, so he sent Napoleon to France to military school with his brother when they were young. Napoleon was also bullied at school because of his accent and his relatively poor background. He ultimately joined the French Army and then, after some time, returned to Corsica for leave as a lieutenant.

On leave, he created a pro-French Republican group and wanted to bring ideas of revolution to Corsica. He wanted Corsica to be associated with France but still have some sort of autonomy. So he decided to fight a Civil War in Corsica for independence!

However, this venture ended in failure, forcing him to flee to mainland France, with his military career hanging by a thread.

Despite a rocky start, Napoleon's fortunes changed dramatically with the outbreak of the French Revolution. Amidst the turmoil, his political connections and the dire need for capable officers in the French army propelled him from the brink of disgrace to the rank of captain. His ascension was meteoric, marked by brilliance on the battlefield and an unshakable belief in his destiny.

Napoleon's meteoric rise

As France's President Emmanuel Macron poignantly remarked at the bicentenary of Napoleon's death, "We love Napoleon because his life gives us a taste of what is possible if we accept the invitation to take risks." Napoleon's life was indeed a whirlwind of risk-taking and audacity. He ascended to the throne as Emperor at the astonishingly young age of 35, and had Europe at his feet by 40 (It's interesting to me that at the end it took all of Europe to defeat him).

A lot of it was possible because of his relentless ambition and unwavering self-confidence. His charisma was another key to his success. The storied return of Napoleon from exile in Elba perfectly encapsulates his magnetic appeal. When tasked with confronting him, the troops sent by King Louis XVIII ended up rallying around their former Emperor instead.

Napoleon's Civil Code: A Lasting Legacy

While Napoleon's military conquests often overshadow his other achievements, his most important contribution is probably his legal and administrative reforms. The Napoleonic Code, a revolutionary set of laws, laid the groundwork for the modern legal system in France and influenced legal frameworks worldwide. These laws abolished feudalism, established equality before the law, and promoted meritocracy – radical ideas at the time.

His reforms extended beyond the legal realm, significantly influencing education and science. The impact of the Napoleonic Code persists today, not only in France but across many European and South American countries, a testament to his enduring legacy.

The Complexity of a Genius Despot

However, Napoleon has a dark side too. His story is marred by the immense loss of life, the reinstatement of slavery, and aggressive expansionism. Napoleon's life also serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of unchecked ambition and overconfidence. What if he had just decided to take a L against the British and not invaded Russia? What if?

"Napoleon's image is multi-faceted: a warlord and a peacekeeper, a strategist and a legislator, a despot and a champion of freedom, he was deemed both he who saved and he who put an end to the Revolution."

In conclusion, Napoleon's life is an interesting tale of triumphs and tribulations. Whenever I think about him, I try to appreciate his brilliance while keeping in mind the darker aspects. A question that I have often thought about is that what went through his head when he exiled at St. Helena's Island? Was he happy with how life turned out to be for him? Did he think he did enough? What does he think is his legacy or his biggest achievement? Does he regret reinstating slavery for economic purposes? Why could he not accept a L against the British and not invade Russia?

Sometimes i think he should have accepted that fighting against the British is a lost cause and not invaded Russia to punish them for trading with the British. But sometimes, I think it was okay to not give up and go after what he believed even it ultimately meant losing everything and being exiled to the middle of nowhere.