Question

analyse the rise of napoleon

Answer 1

In 1799 Napoleon Bonaparte returned from the Egyptian Campaign. Successful in suppressing uprisings against the government and victorious in his Italian campaigns, Bonaparte was known as an excellent strategist who had gained the respect of his men through bravery and courage under fire, meticulous planning and an unconventional approach to warfare. Despite defeats in Egypt, Napoleon returned to a hero’s reception. Outmanoeuvring the government and supported by his army he collaborated in a coup d’état to overthrow the Directory and establish the Consulate. By 1800 Napoleon had become the First Consul of France, and was now in a position of total power.

Answer 2

The first answer concentrates on Napoleon's own characteristics.  This is typical of an approach to history that emphasizes "great men."  This approach holds that the actions of great men are what affect history -- Napoleon rises to power based mainly on his own characteristics.

I would argue against this view of history.  To me, greater historical forces are what brought Napoleon to power.  If it had not been Napoleon, someone else would have taken power in a similar way because the historical context made it likely.

When Napoleon rose to power, France was no longer a monarchy but was not ready for democracy.  There was a vacuum in power because the monarchy and aristocracy had been eliminated.  But France did not really have a democratic tradition that would have demanded an elected government.  Because of this, it was easy for a Napoleon, a dictator, to take power.  The people were still used to obeying those placed over them rather than having a voice in choosing those people.

So I would argue that Napoleon rose to power based largely on two factors -- the fact that the traditional French leaders were gone and the fact that the French were not ready for democracy.  These factors allowed a dictator to rise to power and Napoleon was the one who happened to fill the position.


Napoleon's rise to power was a result of his military genius, luck,  and timing. While he was a student at the military academy at Brienne, Napoleon was often mocked by other students because of his strong Corsican accent. Most scholars believe this humiliation made him determined to succeed. He demonstrated brilliance at an early age, and completed the military academy in one year, where he excelled in artillery training.

During the French Revolution, Napoleon was a Jacobin, who would probably have been guillotined; however he had political connections which helped save his head. He freed the village of Toulon from British control, and won a number of supporters. By remaining away from political conflicts, he managed to see his star rise while the heads of his friends rolled.

In 1795, he put down a royalist revolt which threatened the General Assembly with his famous "whiff of grapeshot." He also married well, marrying a widow, Josephine Beauharnais, whose husband had been guillotined.

Sent to Egypt to intercept the British there, Napoleon acted virtually on his own. He had a unique ability to keep the loyalty of his troops, even though he often treated them brutally. With the army behind him, Napoleon was unstoppable.

Hope it will help....