What led to the rise and fall of Napoleon Bornaparte 1795-1804

Article by: Mlungisi Zwelihle Gumede

This essayor this article will focus more on the causes to the rise and Fall of Napoleon Bonaparte. First let us look at DR Maxuell Zakhele Shamase the Examiner writting and Lecturing in University of Zululand specialises on European History on how he usually ask his question during Examination. Bellow is the question based on the above topic.

●Account for the rise and fall of  Napoleon Bonaparte

So how to answer or to tattle this question?. To understand the question you need first to identify the key words/concepts in a statement or question. In this question the key word is Account. So before answering you need to know and understand the meaning of the word account. When you account you just motivate and give reasons. In this case we will be looking at the reasons for the rise and fall of Napoleon. Look as we embark on the question below.

                                   Introduction
This essay will acount for the rise and fall of Napoleon, in simpler terms the causes or the reasons for the rise and fall of Napoleon will be discussed. The question will be answered fully by accounting factors that led to the rise and fall of Napoleon such as weakness of dirrectory, campaign on italy, coupdetat, colonialism, militarism and lastly the continental system.


Before embarking on the causes of the rise and fall of Napoleon let us first know who was this man. Napoleon was born on 15 August 1769 at Ajasio of Corsika Island. Short ago it was conquered by France, So his family became French. His father was an advocate, mother Romalina was smart, ambitious and active. His father died, after few years, so he had to suffer economically in his childhood. He received help from others for his education. He took his education in the military schools of Brian and Paris. History, maths and geography were his favourite subjects. After the completion of education, he joined in a military section of French army but he left in and went to coarsika. Napoleon as he was well known military genius he was then appointed as the general in the army. He used new military tactics and applied a strategy of destruction. Napoleon Married Josephine.

One of the reasons for the rise of Napoleon was the weakness of dirrectory. From 27 october dirrectory was rulling France but was not effective in working, it depended upon Napoleon. On the 21st January 1793 Louis XVI was hanged. So Many countries in Europe became enemies of France. Napoleon played an important role to manage these enemies. He completed succesfully all responsibilities given to him by dirretory. He became much popular in France. On the other hand, at the same time dirrectory was unpleasant, this contribution led Napoleon towards the throne.

The  campaign on Italy from 1795 to 1797 and his victory it was vital cause of his political rise. Austria was the biggest enemy of France, Her army was in Italy near the boarder of France which was dangerous. Dirrectory had to pay attention towards Austria. Napoleon was appointed as the general of an army against Austria in 1796. It was his first Campaign on Italy. Napoleon had many problems initially. The army and weapons were not of standard and small in number. The senior officers and soudiers did not like his leadership. With only 30 thousand army he had to face 70 thousands enemies. By nature, dicipline and darimg he solved many problems. Before coming together Austria and Sardinia, Napoleon first attacked Sardinia and defeated him. Imposed treaty on her. He then after turned towards Austria and defeated her. Austria also signed treaty on her. People began to built status of him, writting books and articles about him then French began to love him. This indicated the rise of Napoleon.

Another reason for the rise of Napoleon was coupdetat. French people were total unhappy over the administration of dirrectory. There was unrest and disorder in the nation. In this situation Napoleon had to come back from Egypt Campaign. He decided to take benefit of the situation. The meeting of legislative council was going on palace of sent cloud near Paris. He went there with his army and captured palace. The members were driven out and dirrectory was dissolved by Napoleon. Then he prepared constitution as he wanted, He managed that the power should be with him only, He managed that he should be tbe first consol for life long. Napoleon became in the empiror of France from 1799 to 1804 this gave him rise.

Colonialism was one of the major cause that led to the downfall of Napoleon. His hunger for power forced him to fight even more nations. But the more nations he conquered and dominated the more difficult he found it to control them all. This caused fatigue to him and resulted to failure in controling all other states. This led to his downfall.

Another factor that led to the downfall of Napoleon was Military. Napoleon had insuficience of weapons and soudiers as a result he began using soudiers from other nations who were not well trained. At first he used his small army of soudiers to attack other nations. Countries like Austria, prussia and Russia applied his strategies against him and that led to his downfall.

The continental system also led to the fall of Napoleon. This system was designed by Napoleon to defeat Britain. Many people had to oppose his policy leading to his downfall. The system led to famine, unemployment, inflation, starvation and decline in international trade. This system led to the formation of 4th and 5th coalitions that defeated Nation. It defeated him at the battle of Leipzing and imprisoned him at Elba. But Napoleon escaped and ruled for more than 100 days. The 5th coalition was formed that defeated him at the battle of waterloo and he was imprisoned in the Island of Hellena where he died. This led to his downfall.

                               Conclusion
All of the above factors above clearly reveal the reasons that caused the rise and fall of Napoleon. However it is not only the mentioned factors or reasons that led to his rise and fall. So further readings are advised.

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