[Author’s Name]
[Institution’s Name]
Essay on Napoleons Place in History
Napoleon was also a commendable administrator. He introduced countless positive reforms, including the formation of a strong, competent central government and the revision and organization of French laws into collections called codes. A lot of Napoleon's reforms are palpable today in the institutions of France and of areas once under French control. Napoleon is both a historical figure and a legend and it is sometimes difficult to separate the two. The events of his life have fired the imaginations of great writers, filmmakers, and playwrights whose works have done much to create the Napoleonic legend. Napoleon was one of the greatest military commanders in history.
But he has also been portrayed as a power-hungry conqueror. He denied being such a conqueror. He argued that he had tried to build a federation of free peoples in a Europe united under a liberal government. He did intend, though, to achieve this goal by concentrating power in his own hands. However, in the states he created, Napoleon granted constitutions, introduced law codes, abolished feudalism, created efficient governments, and fostered education, science, literature, and the arts.Napoleon stood 5 feet 2 inches high, about normal for Frenchmen of his time, though most French generals and statesmen were taller. He earned the nickname le Petit Caporal (the little corporal) in 1796 at the Battle of Lodi, near Milan, Italy. In the combat, General Bonaparte startled his troops by personally aiming the cannon, a hazardous job frequently performed by a corporal. Napoleon was an encouraging and spectacular leader.
He could also be pessimistic and challenging, though this side of his character was usually hidden from the public. In addition, Napoleon had great energy and aspiration. He personally directed multifaceted military exercises and at the same time controlled France's press, police system, foreign policy, and domestic affairs. He chose capable subordinates and rewarded them generously with medals, wealth, military rank, and titles of nobility......
