Bonaparte Napoléon

Napoleon Bonaparte was a French emperor and an outstanding commander of the early 19th century. He went down in history as a great commander and an outstanding statesman who changed the political map of Europe and left a rich legal and cultural heritage.

Years of life: August 15, 1769 (Ajaccio, Corsica) — May 5, 1821 (Saint Helena Island).

Early years and education:

studied at the Brienne Military School (1779-1784);

Then he studied at the Paris Military School (1784-1785).;

He graduated in 1785 with the rank of second lieutenant of artillery.

Military career:

He distinguished himself at the Siege of Toulon (1793), for which he was promoted to brigadier general.;

suppressed the Royalist revolt in Paris (1795, "cannon salvo of buckshot");

He led the Italian campaign (1796-1797), won a number of victories, and concluded peace in Campo Formio.;

conducted the Egyptian Expedition (1798-1799);

He commanded troops in key battles: Austerlitz (1805), Jena (1806), Friedland (1807), Wagram (1809), etc.;

the campaign against Russia (1812), the Battle of Borodino, the retreat from Moscow;

The Hundred Days and the defeat at Waterloo (1815).

Political activity:

On November 9, 1799 (18 Brumaire), he carried out a coup d'etat and established the Consulate regime, becoming the first consul.;

In 1802, he became consul for life.;

On May 18, 1804, he was proclaimed Emperor of the French (coronation at Notre Dame Cathedral — December 2, 1804);

abdication of the throne in 1814, exile to the island of Elba;

return to power in 1815 ("One Hundred Days"), followed by final abdication and exile to St. Helena Island.

Key achievements and reforms
The Civil Code (the Napoleonic Code, 1804) unified the French legal system and became a model for many countries.;

Administrative reforms: streamlining of the taxation system, creation of prefectures;

establishment of the Bank of France (1800);

Development of education: lyceum system, Imperial University (1808);

centralization of power, strengthening of bureaucracy and police;

the spread of the ideas of the French Revolution in Europe, the destruction of the feudal order in the conquered territories.

Foreign policy and wars
Napoleon fought numerous wars, forming the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815):

against coalitions of European powers (Austria, Prussia, Russia, Great Britain, etc.);

establishing control over a significant part of Europe;

the creation of dependent states and the appointment of their relatives to the thrones (for example, Joseph Bonaparte— King of Spain);

The continental blockade against Great Britain.

Legacy
is an outstanding military leader whose tactics and strategies are studied in military academies;

the reformer who laid the foundations of the modern French state;

a figure who had a huge impact on the European history of the 19th century;

a symbol of the era that inspired many works of art and literature.

Last years and death
After the defeat at Waterloo, he was exiled to the island of St. Helena under the supervision of the British.;

Spent the last few years in Longwood‑House, dictated his memoirs;

He died in 1821 from an illness (presumably stomach cancer);

In 1840, the ashes were transported to Paris and buried in the Invalides Home.