Napoleon Flashcards, test questions and answers
Discover flashcards, test exam answers, and assignments to help you learn more about Napoleon and other subjects. Don’t miss the chance to use them for more effective college education. Use our database of questions and answers on Napoleon and get quick solutions for your test.
What is Napoleon?
Napoleon Bonaparte was a French military leader and political figure who rose to prominence during the French Revolution. Born in Corsica in 1769, Napoleon joined the French military as an artillery officer and quickly rose through the ranks. He seized power from the ruling Directory in 1799 and subsequently declared himself Emperor of France, establishing a dictatorship that lasted until 1815. Napoleon’s greatest success came when he defeated a series of coalitions assembled against him, most notably at Austerlitz in 1805. His foreign campaigns led to further expansion of his empire into Austria, Prussia, Russia, Spain, Italy and Germany. His reforms helped modernize government throughout Europe and his rule left a lasting legacy on France’s legal system. Despite his successes abroad, however, Napoleon is perhaps best known for his defeats at Trafalgar and Waterloo which ultimately led to his downfall in 1815. After abdicating power following these defeats he was exiled to St Helena where he died in 1821 aged 51. Despite his eventual downfall Napoleon is still remembered today as one of history’s greatest military leaders due to his innovative tactics on the battlefield as well as for advancing European politics with sweeping reforms during his reign.