Napoleon's Greatest Conquests

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'To absorb, to emit, to form new combinations---that is life.'

Napoleon Bonaparte-

        On August 15, 1769 Napoleone Buonaparte, future emperor of France was born in Ajaccio, Corsica. An avid disciple of Rousseau, Napoleon joined the French Military, and slowly began to work his way to esteemed positions. Later, as General Bonaparte, Napoleon defeated much of Europe in an effort to take over the world. He was eventually defeated and imprisoned by Britain on the island of St. Helena, where he died in 1821.

        Napoleon is well known for both his military and domestic accomplishments, but which of the two were more important to the citizens of France? Some might believe that his military accomplishments were far superior to his domestic achievements, and others might think that they were equally important. However, I believe that Napoleon's domestic achievements were more important to France than his military accomplishments. All of his military gains were only temporary, while many of his domestic achievements impacted everyday life for the people of France for years to come.

Also, while his military conquests were good for national pride, Napoleon's domestic changes affected law & justice, government efficiency, the economy, and education.

        Napoleon's career was filled with military successes. Two of his greatest accomplishments were the Italian Campaign and the Campaign of Austerlitz. The Italian Campaign, which occurred between March of 1796 and April of 1797 brought great victories over places like Lodi, Castiglione, Arcola, and Rivoli. Napoleon was also able to impose armistices on the Kingdom of Sardinia and Piedmont, the Papel States, Parma, Modena, and Naples. From these areas Napoleon sent cash and art back to the government of the Directory in France. In 1805, in the Campaign of Austerlitz, Napoleon again showed his brilliant strategic skills in defeating the forces of Austria and Russia.