Napoleon
Definition
Napoleon Bonaparte was a French military and political leader who rose to prominence during the French Revolution. He led several successful campaigns during the French Revolutionary Wars and became the de facto leader of France in 1799.
Analogy
Think of Napoleon as the star player on a sports team who suddenly becomes the coach. He started out as just another player (or soldier), but his skills and strategies were so good that he ended up running the whole show.
Related terms
French Revolution: A period of radical social and political upheaval in France from 1789 to 1799, leading to the end of absolute monarchy and rise of democracy.
Coup d'etat: A sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government.
Napoleonic Code: The French civil code established under Napoleon I in 1804 which served as model for many nations’ civil codes.
"Napoleon" appears in:
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Practice Questions (14)
- What could be one possible result had Napoleon won at Waterloo?
- How did Napoleon uphold some principles of the French Revolution while contradicting others?
- What was the name given to the period when napoleon returned from exile before his final defeat?
- Who formed the coalition that defeated Napoleon at Waterloo?
- In which battle was Napoleon finally defeated?
- What significant legal reform did Napoleon implement across his Empire?
- How did the Peninsular War influence the downfall of Napoleon?
- How might history be different if the British had not defeated Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815?
- How did British resistance against French dominance under Napoleon alter power dynamics within Europe?
- Which ideology had a significant influence on European politics post-Napoleon leading up to World War I?
- Which institution did Napoleon strengthen during his rule that indirectly led to some major institutional reforms in Europe during the nineteenth century?
- What legislative act gave Napoleon the status of "First Consul for life"?
- Which coalition led to Napoleon's final defeat at Waterloo in 1815?
- In what year was Napoleon defeated at the Battle of Waterloo?
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