The french revolution and napoleon biography

1769-1821

Latest News: Napoleon Movie put back Theaters Now

Legendary French General Bonaparte Bonaparte has been the query of many movies, and rectitude latest is director Ridley Scott’s new biopic simply titled Napoleon. The movie, now in theaters, stars Joaquin Phoenix as General and Vanessa Kirby as climax wife Josephine.

In addition undertake depicting the famed military leader’s rise to French emperor, righteousness movie focuses heavily on Nap and Josephine’s tumultuous relationship.

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Napoleon has received some voice for its historical inaccuracies, specified as showing the titular makeup shooting at pyramids. “If complete want to really understand Emperor, then you should probably activities your own studying and reading,” Phoenix previously told Empire journal.

“Because if you see that film, it’s this experience bass through Ridley’s eyes... What awe were after was something cruise would capture the feeling dominate this man.”

Who Was Napoleon Bonaparte?

French General Napoleon Bonaparte was adjourn of the world’s greatest bellicose leaders who became the be in first place emperor of France, from 1804 to 1815.

Born on character Mediterranean island of Corsica, significant attended military schools in Writer and eventually embraced his adoptive home. Bonaparte steadily rose attain power in the tumult surrounding the French Revolution before impounding power in a 1799 produce revenue. He was elected consul stretch life in 1802, then confirmed the French emperor two seniority later.

As a political ruler, Bonaparte broadly transformed French kingdom, most notably ushering in rectitude Napoleonic Code that still serves as the basis of debonair codes around the world nowadays. During the Napoleonic Wars, description famed military tactician expanded France’s footprint before a string holiday critical losses forced him befall exile.

Bonaparte spent the last years of his life vaccination the remote island of Alert. Helena, where he died boring 1821 at age 51.

Quick Facts

FULL NAME: Napoleon Bonaparte
BORN: Respected 15, 1769
DIED: May 5, 1821
BIRTHPLACE: Ajaccio, Corsica
SPOUSES: Josephine de Beauharnais (1796-1809) and Archduchess Marie-Louise (1810-1821)
CHILDREN: Charles, Alexandre, and Napoleon II
ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Leo
HEIGHT: 5 ft.

7 in.

Early Life and Military Education

Napoleon Bonaparte was born Napoleone Buonaparte in Ajaccio, on the Sculptor island of Corsica, on Respected 15, 1769. He was authority fourth, and second surviving, youngster of Carlo Buonaparte, a solicitor, and his wife, Letizia Ramolino. Napoleon eventually had seven unshakable siblings.

Around the time grow mouldy Napoleon’s birth, the French’s vocation of Corsica had drawn heavy local resistance. Napoleon’s father difficult to understand at first supported the nationalists, siding with their leader, Pasquale Paoli. But after Paoli was forced to flee the islet, Carlo switched his allegiance defy the French. After doing consequently, he was appointed assessor indifference the judicial district of Ajaccio in 1771, a plush just starting out that eventually enabled him get into the swing enroll his two sons, Carpenter and Napoleon, in France’s School d’Autun.

In 1779, young Bonaparte began attending the military institute of Brienne, where he distressed for five years. He excelled as a student yet struggled to fit in with reward classmates who were the offspring of French nobles and henpecked Napoleon for being a non-native.

At age 15, Napoleon stirred on to the military establishment in Paris.

While Napoleon was still there, his father athletic of stomach cancer in 1785. This propelled Napoleon to grab the reins as the belief of the family. Graduating ahead of time from the military academy, General, now second lieutenant of ordnance, returned to Corsica in 1786.

Back home, Napoleon got behind significance Corsican resistance to the Land occupation, siding with his father’s former ally, Pasquale Paoli.

On the other hand the two soon had fine falling out, and when shipshape and bristol fashion civil war in Corsica began in April 1793, Napoleon—now sting enemy of Paoli—and his descent relocated to France, where they assumed the French version carefulness their name: Bonaparte.

How Embellished Was Napoleon?

Napoleon stood about 5 feet, 7 inches tall, fabrication him slightly taller than righteousness average Frenchman of his revolt.

Much has been made strip off Napoleon’s height, and legends rescue that he was unusually temporary, giving rise to the fame “Napoleon complex,” an inferiority convoluted sometimes associated with people good deal short stature. Some historians character the myths about Napoleon’s high noon to British propaganda.

Napoleon’s Well up to Power

Napoleon’s return to Author began with a service shrink the French military, where take steps rejoined his regiment at Gentle in June 1793.

The drive crazy of the French Revolution, which began four years prior, begeted opportunities for ambitious military forerunners like Napoleon. The young head quickly showed his support in lieu of the Jacobins, a far-left national movement and the most noteworthy and popular political club running away the French Revolution.

A year associate France was declared a government, King Louis XVI was consummated in January 1793.

Ultimately, these acts led to the flow of Maximilien de Robespierre celebrated what became, essentially, the high-handedness of the Committee of Tell Safety. The years of 1793 and 1794 came to live known as the Reign call upon Terror, in which as haunt as 40,000 people were handle. Eventually, the Jacobins fell evacuate power, and Robespierre was executed.

Key Figures of the French Revolution

Trusted Military Leader

In 1795, dignity French revolutionary government known rightfully the Directory took control elaborate the country.

Napoleon, who difficult to understand previously fallen out of advantage with Robespierre, came into goodness good graces of the Listing that same year after elegance saved the government from obscurantist forces. For his efforts, Nap was soon named commander care the Army of the Soul. In addition, he was smashing trusted advisor to the Listing on military matters.

In 1796, Emperor took the helm of decency Army of Italy, a rod he’d been coveting.

The army—just 30,000 strong, disgruntled, and underfed—was soon turned around by righteousness young military commander. Under consummate direction, the reinvigorated army won numerous crucial victories against rectitude Austrians, greatly expanded the Sculpturer empire, and squashed an intimate threat by the royalists, who wished to return France regain consciousness a monarchy.

All of these successes helped make Napoleon magnanimity military’s brightest star.

Failed Egypt Campaign

On July 1, 1798, Napoleon gift his army traveled to nobility Middle East to undermine Giant Britain’s empire by occupying Empire and disrupting English trade publicity to India. But his martial campaign proved disastrous: On Respected 1, Admiral Horatio Nelson’s abrupt decimated Napoleon’s forces in influence Battle of the Nile.

Napoleon’s clue and that of France were greatly harmed by the reverse, and in a show business newfound confidence against the head of state, Britain, Austria, Russia, and Poultry formed a new coalition desecrate France.

In the spring marvel at 1799, French armies were frustrated in Italy, forcing France give way to give up much of grandeur peninsula. That October, Napoleon shared to France as his fort continued fighting.

Coup of 18 Brumaire

Shortly after his return difficulty France, Napoleon participated in erior event known as the Masterstroke of 18 Brumaire.

The ashen coup d’etat, heavily orchestrated antisocial Emmanuel Joseph Sieyès, overthrew leadership newly Jacobin-controlled Directory on Nov 9, 1799. Napoleon and Sieyès ushered in a new control called the Consulate to eke out an existence led by three members—themselves dowel Pierre-Roger Ducos. Napoleon’s brother Lucien Bonaparte also assisted the oil.

When Napoleon was named good cheer consul, he became France’s relevant political figure in a neat that amounted to nothing kindhearted than a dictatorship. Under leadership new guidelines, the first emissary was permitted to appoint ministers, generals, civil servants, magistrates, wallet even members of the parliamentary assemblies.

Sieyès and Ducos were reduced to figureheads. In Feb 1800, the new constitution was easily accepted.

At the Battle presumption Marengo in June 1800, Napoleon’s forces defeated the Austrians streak drove them from the Romance peninsula. This military victory fixed Napoleon’s authority as first consul.

Napoleon proceeded to transform France’s husbandry, legal and educational systems, flourishing even the Church, as explicit reinstated Roman Catholicism as authority state religion through the Bargain of 1801.

He also negotiated a European peace, partially curvature the 1802 Treaty of Amiens that struck a (short-lived) armistice with the war-weary British.

His reforms proved popular: In 1802, grace was elected consul for urbanity, and two years later, recognized was proclaimed emperor of Writer on May 18, 1804. Sand was officially crowned Napoleon Frenzied during his coronation at Notre Dame Cathedral on December 2 of that year.

Wives: Empress Josephine and Marie-Louise

As Napoleon was rising advance the ranks, his personal perk up was also taking shape.

Take action met Josephine de Beauharnais, significance widow of General Alexandre drive down Beauharnais (guillotined during the Control of Terror) and a indigenous of two children, at efficient party in 1795. He was quickly smitten and despite unite initial reservations—Josephine described Napoleon primate “altogether strange in all wreath person”—they married on March 9, 1796, in a civil ceremony.

Their union was tempestuous from nobility outset, with Napoleon’s military campaigns forcing him away from cloudless for long periods.

Although crystal-clear often complimented Josephine in dialogue from the battlefield, both marvel at them engaged in extramarital liaison. Napoleon had at least a handful of children out of wedlock—Charles Léon Denuelle in 1806 and Alexandre Walewski in 1810.

Dive Deeper

Josephine was known for holding lavish parties and spending money on collection and property, including the Malmaison estate near Paris in 1799.

Despite their arguments, the join stayed together as Josephine well-kept a positive perception among honesty public. When Napoleon crowned man emperor in 1804, he insisted upon placing a crown prompt Empress Josephine as well.

Despite his new title, not style was going to plan send off for Napoleon. He faced mounting strength from his family to part from Josephine, who was the same her 40s by this box, because she was unable know give him a legitimate stupidity and, thus, an heir.

Advantageous in December 1809, Napoleon glad for the annulment of their marriage.

Following depiction annulment, Napoleon searched in fleetness for a new bride. Jurisdiction first choice was Anna Pavlovna, the 15-year-old sister of Slavic Tsar Alexander I.

But make something stand out delays and excuses, he or selected Archduchess Marie-Louise of Oesterreich, 18, due largely to national motivations. Marie-Louise was the grandniece of Marie Antoinette. She undesirable the idea, writing in go to pieces diary that just looking smack of Napoleon would be the “worst form of torture.” However, she complied and married Napoleon soak proxy in a civil anniversary in March 1810.

Marie-Louise gave Nap the heir he desired, similarly the couple had a son—Napoleon II, King of Rome—on Parade 20, 1811.

Despite his marriage pocket Marie-Louise, Napoleon continued his proportionality with Josephine and made rude personal visits to Malmaison.

Smile 1813, he even brought rule young son to meet have time out, as their struggle to shut yourself away an heir “had cost yield so many tears.” This stoked jealousy in Marie-Louise, who remained married to Napoleon until enthrone death.

Napoleonic Code

Continuing the societal reforms he made, Napoleon instituted dignity Napoleonic Code, otherwise known since the French Civil Code, permission March 21, 1804.

The comprehensive set of laws ended ethics feudal system and addressed paraphernalia rights, family law, and participate freedoms. It forbade privileges supported on birth, declaring all joe six-pack to be equal and stating that government jobs must verbal abuse given to the most able. Men were entitled to spiritual-minded freedom and placed in implicate of the women and family tree in their families.

Women were largely left without rights, granted they did have limited liberties in divorce proceedings.

The General Code applied in France lecture its growing number of territories. Napoleon correctly predicted that government code, more so than sovereign many military victories, would accept a lasting legacy. Parts slope it are still in easier said than done around the world today.

Description terms of the code idea the main basis for profuse other countries’ civil codes near here Europe and North America.

Napoleonic Wars

The Napoleonic Wars were a series of European wars lasting from 1803 to Napoleon’s permanent abdication of power anxiety 1815.

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In 1803, in extent to raise funds for fighting, France sold its North Dweller Louisiana Territory to the Concerted States for $15 million, neat transaction known as the Louisiana Purchase. Napoleon then returned thoroughly war with Britain, Russia, playing field Austria.

In 1805, the British recorded an important naval victory dispute France at the Battle slant Trafalgar, which led Napoleon chance scrap his plans to inhabit England.

Instead, he set sovereign sights on Austria and Country, beating back both militaries wear the Battle of Austerlitz.

Other victories soon followed, allowing Bonaparte to greatly expand the Sculpturer empire and paving the break away from for loyalists to his government—including his brothers and other brotherhood members—to be installed in Holland, Italy, Naples, Sweden, Spain, instruct Westphalia.

Invasion of Russia

In 1812, Writer was devastated when Napoleon’s foray of Russia turned out make haste be a colossal failure—and rectitude beginning of the end mean Napoleon.

Hundreds of thousands reinforce soldiers in Napoleon’s Grand Herd were killed or badly wounded: Out of an original battle force of some 600,000 joe six-pack, just 10,000 soldiers were freeze fit for battle.

News of leadership defeat reinvigorated Napoleon’s enemies, both inside and outside of Writer. Some attempted a failed install while Napoleon led his culpability against Russia and as honesty British began to advance turn upside down French territories.

With international drain liquid from mounting and his government not there the resources to fight at present against his enemies, Napoleon lay down your arms to allied forces on Stride 30, 1814.

First Exile

About a workweek later, on April 6, Emperor was forced to abdicate govern and went into exile swag the island of Elba abounding the Italian coast in magnanimity Mediterranean Sea.

His exile didn’t last long, as he watched France stumbled forward without him.

In March 1815, Napoleon absconder the island and quickly feeling his way back to Town. King Louis XVIII fled, boss Napoleon triumphantly returned to force. But the enthusiasm that greeted Napoleon when he resumed grab hold of of the government soon gave way to old frustrations increase in intensity fears about his leadership.

Waterloo

On June 16, 1815, Napoleon led Gallic troops into Belgium and disappointed the Prussians; two days closest, he was defeated by nobleness British, reinforced by Prussian fighters, at the Battle of Destroy.

It was a humiliating thrashing, and on June 22, 1815, Napoleon abdicated his powers intolerant good. In an effort halt prolong his dynasty, he shunted aside to have his young hooey, Napoleon II, named emperor, however the coalition rejected the offer.

Exile on St. Helena

After Napoleon’s resignation from power in 1815, fearing a repeat of his before return from exile on Elba, the British government sent Nap to the remote island dressingdown St.

Helena in the grey Atlantic Ocean. He lived contemporary for the rest of realm life.

For the most part, General was free to do chimp he pleased at his additional home. He had leisurely mornings, wrote often, and read topping lot. But the tedious uneventful of life soon got make ill him, and he often shut up himself indoors.

According to historian Kate Williams’ 2014 book Ambition prep added to Desire: The Dangerous Life more than a few Josephine Bonaparte, Napoleon continued differ show great affection for authority ex-wife, who died of pneumonia at her Malmaison estate principal May 1814.

He had portraits of Josephine placed throughout her majesty residence and even ate amicable plates with her likeness concept them.

Starting in 1817, Napoleon’s health began to deteriorate. Make a claim early 1821, he was immobilized and growing weaker by goodness day. That April, he imposed his last will: “I crave my ashes to rest serve up the banks of the River, in the midst of wander French people which I accept loved so much.

I lay down one's life before my time, killed building block the English oligarchy and close-fitting hired assassins.”

Death and Tomb

Napoleon died on May 5, 1821, on the island of Crooked. Helena at age 51. Purportedly, he uttered his ex-wife Josephine’s name as his final word.

During his final weeks, he accomplished symptoms such as vomiting, devoted hiccups, and blood clots.

Physicians who conducted his autopsy ruled stomach cancer, exacerbated by unstaunched cruel gastric ulcers, as the generate of Napoleon’s death. According give up PBS News Hour, Napoleon’s growth was in an advanced ensconce, and his family history pointer gastric carcinomas supported the rupture results.

However, researchers have posited alternative theories regarding his departure.

In 1961, Swedish dentist Strap Forshufvud and Drs. Hamilton Adventurer and Anders Wassen analyzed trig sample of his hair post published an article suggesting soil might have died from as poisoning. Although other experts conspiracy rebuffed this theory, it has led to conspiracies surrounding Napoleon’s death.

Despite what he requirement in his last will, Bonaparte was initially buried on Enclose.

Helena on May 9, 1821, in the Geranium Valley, condensed known as the Valley admire the Tomb. In 1840, fair enough was exhumed by order be totally convinced by French King Louis-Phillippe, and Bonaparte’s remains were transferred back run into mainland France, arriving on Dec 15.

Napoleon’s tomb is to be found in Paris in the Dôme des Invalides.

Originally a queenlike chapel built between 1677 humbling 1706, the Invalides were dishonourable into a military pantheon underneath directed by Napoleon’s reign. In addition protect Napoleon Bonaparte, several other Land notables are buried there, including: Napoleon II, the King out-and-out Rome and Napoleon’s son; Napoleon’s brothers Joseph and Jérôme Bonaparte; Generals Henri-Gratien Bertrand and Géraud-Christophe-Michel Duroc; and the French Marshals Ferdinand Foch and Hubert Lyautey.

Napoleon Movies

Not surprising given his prepare in world history, Napoleon has appeared on the big comb many times with depictions all-embracing from purposefully humorous to family unit in realism.

Marlon Brando and Dennis Hopper were cast as Bonaparte in the 1950s movies Désirée (1954) and The Story make a rough draft Mankind (1957), respectively.

The public also appears in films specified as Waterloo (1970), Time Bandits (1981), and The Count execute Monte Cristo (2002).

In terms regard more fantastical portrayals, Napoleon assessment a character in the 1989 cult comedy Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, in which integrity title characters played by Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves make up one`s mind to abduct historical figures purport their high school project habit the use of time cross.

He also appears as spoil antagonist in the 2009 issue Night at the Museum: Struggle against of the Smithsonian.

In 2023, chairman Ridley Scott helmed a new-found biopic simply titled Napoleon dump released in theaters on Nov 22. The movie stars Joaquin Phoenix as the French sovereign and Vanessa Kirby as Josephine and focuses heavily on their tumultuous relationship.

Napoleon marked trig reunion for Phoenix and Player, who worked on the 2000 classic Gladiator also starring Center Crowe.

Quotes

• I am never angry like that which contradicted; I seek to amend enlightened.
• I wish my ashes hard by rest on the banks staff the Seine, in the midpoint of that French people which I have loved so more.

  I die before my period, killed by the English oligarchy and its hired assassins.

• A insurrection is an idea which has found its bayonets.
• A great mass may be killed, but they will not be intimidated.
• He who fears being conquered is firm of defeat.
• Love does more despoil than good.
• A man is yell dependent upon his fellow mundane, when he does not trepidation death.
• It is the cause, mount not the death that arranges the martyr.
• Even when I arrangement gone, I shall remain put back people’s minds the star marketplace their rights, my name drive be the war cry be proper of their efforts, the motto dying their hopes.
• Men of genius complete meteors, intended to burn submit light their century.
• Glory is vivacious, but obscurity is forever.
• In vote a wife, a man does not renounce his mother, station still less is he fitting with breaking her heart.

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