The Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte By: Dylan Curvin

Introduction Napoleon Bonaparte was one of the best military leaders of all time. He also is one of the best known military leaders of all time, but the thing is people don’t know the full story of him, they just think that he is a short guy that lost a battle, but that’s not the full story.

Early Life Napoleon Bonaparte was born on August 15, 1769 in Ajaccio, Corsica, France. He had gotten his education from College d'Autun, Military College of Brienne, and Military Academy in Paris. Im pretty sure by now it was known he wanted to be part of the Military.

Rise to Power In 1785 Napoleon was still in college when he found out that his father had died of stomach cancer, this brought him to think that he had to take job as head of the family, so he graduated early and became second lieutenant of artillery and this is where it all began. In April 1773, a civil war broke out in Corsica which made Napoleon relocate him and his family to France, which was a return to France, for when he was younger they moved to Corsica because of war. After they moved to France, there were many problems with the Rein of Terror and everything like that. After the falling out of favor with Robespierre, he became in good ones with the Directory in 1795 when he helped the Government from counter-revolutionary forces, for doing this they rewarded him by being named Commander of the Army of the Interior, as well as being the Trusted Adviser of Military Needs. Later on he had taken the helm of the Army of Italy which held 30,000 strong with this he conquered many battles against Austria.

Exile After many years of war Napoleon had made a treaty with Europe that would only last about 3 years, in which they started fighting again, but then Russia and Austria Joined in against France with the Britains. Sooner or later his reigns of Victories became reigns of defeats where he was later defeated for the last time and exiled to the island of Elba where he would stay for only a year.

Returning Power After about a year in exile Napoleon had escaped his Island prison and triumphantly returned to Paris where he took back his throne and jumped right straight into battle again. The first returning battle he had commenced was the battle against Prussians on June 16, 1815 where he had defeated them, but two days later he suffered a humiliating loss by the Britains at the Waterloo.

Decline from Power After Napoleon’s second loss to the Britains, he abdicated his powers on June 22, Once he had given off his powers, he had tried to convince the Coalition to make his son, Napoleon II, emperor, but sadly they declined his efforts. Along with this the British once again exiled him, but this time to a different island, St. Helena.

Death After being exiled to this remote island, he at first thought it was very peaceful and he liked being outside and writing, until he realized it started just being a routine, after that he just shut himself up indoors most of the time. By 1817 he started showing signs of stomach ulcers and even stomach cancer, like his father, and by 1821 he was so sick he couldn’t leave his bed. In April of 1821 he had stated his last will: "I wish my ashes to rest on the banks of the Seine, in the midst of that French people which I have loved so much. I die before my time, killed by the English oligarchy and its hired assassins.” Just a few days later on May 5, 1821 Napoleon had died from what had killed his father.