Was Napoleon a liberator of France or a betrayer of the revolution.

Essay by RDominicHigh School, 11th gradeA+, November 2003

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In France in 1789, feeling irritated and betrayed, the peasants took action against their suppressive government; they stormed the Bastille and freed its prisoners. Thus the French Revolution began. After ten years of civil war and threat of outside invasion, in 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte began his liberation of France. This man standing at only five feet three inches, packed a powerful punch and lead France through the end of an ugly revolution. But soon this movement of liberation evolved into dictatorial government, and Napoleon would settle for nothing less than to be the ruler of a Europe united of French power. With his success on the battlefield, Napoleon had earned the respect and love of her countrymen. Victory after victory added to his empire and the dream of being emperor of all of Europe became more real every day. Yet he met his match when he invaded Russia hoping to force them into submission and create an alliance.

After this defeat Napoleon was defeated again at Waterloo, the last battle as emperor of the France. Despite his tragic downfall, Napoleon's ingenuity in warfare and politics, made him invincible while at the pinnacle of his career. He is regarded as one of the most influential men and one of the greatest leaders in the French history. Unfortunately he used his influence to turn his liberation into the same thing that the French people were revolting against, a sovereign power.

Once Napoleon gained power of France, he used it to betray his original and noble objective of liberating France from the previous form of monarchy. Napoleon was born to a family of lower nobility in Corsica. He started as a General in the French Royal army and worked his way up the ranks. It was his army that put down revolts with...