Napoleon's Rise and Legacy in France

Napoleon Bonaparte is a figure who evokes strong opinions; some consider him France's finest leader, while others view him as a bellicose dictator. His historical legacy is deeply divisive. On one side, Napoleon upheld some of the noblest principles of the French Revolution, such as those enshrined in the Napoleonic Code, which remains a foundation for numerous global legal systems today. He represents, especially to critics of class-based systems, a striking example of meritocracy triumphing over traditional aristocracy in the early modern era.

However, Napoleon is also synonymous with severe brutality. The conflicts closely associated with his regime led to the deaths of an estimated 3.25 million to 6.5 million people, both military and civilian. As a military leader, he drew inspiration from historical figures like Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar, earning the admiration of both contemporaries and some controversial figures of the 20th century, including Adolf Hitler, leading to some unfavourable comparisons.

Regarding his personality, the vast array of over 3,000 biographies on him shows little agreement. Yet, there is a consensus among historians that Napoleon’s climb to power was as extraordinary as it was improbable.

Napoleon Bonaparte’s Early Years

Born on August 15, 1769, in Ajaccio, Corsica, Napoleon was ethnically Italian but became a French national—albeit reluctantly—after Corsica was ceded to France shortly before his birth.