NAPOLEON BONAPARTE

 

Napoleon was born at Ajacio in the island of Corsica (Genoa in Italy) on the 15^th August 1769. The year before his birth, (1768,) the island of Corsica was annexed to France hence, making napoleon a Frenchman by birth and Italian by descend.

Napoleon was born to a poor family of 13 children of which 8 survived childhoods. From childhood, Napoleon was militaristic and he often listens to stories of soldiers and wars.  He was fond of wearing military uniforms and carrying out mock fights and games with his fellow children. His ambition was to become a military soldier and that is why he would joke that “I will become a soldier and win all the battles”.

At the age of 10 9 1779) his father fluked for him a military Scholarship to study in the military academy in Brienne in Italy and later in Paris in France. He studied military Science and later graduated as an Artillery Officer at the age of 16 with the rank of Second Lieutenant. However, his life was very difficult at school. He was isolated and lacked good relationship with children from rich families. One time poverty forced him to sell his only watch for survival. He used to have one meal in aday. He was not a bright student in class but would only do well in Mathematics and Military Science.

 

Unfortunately, in 1792, Napoleon over stayed in a leave and therefore, suspended from the Academy in Paris. However, due to the shortage of Artillery officers, Napoleon was called back and passed out as a Carnal and a commander of Artillery forces.

In 1793, he destroyed the royalists uprising which were supported by the British Naval forces at Port Taulon. This earned him the rank of a General.

 

The Italian Campaign of 176.

 When Napoleon assumed the commander of the French troops in 1796, the army was very disorganized. However, due to his military skills and tactics, Napoleon managed to organize the French army and was ready for war. He knew the language of the soldiers before setting them for amission. He told them that “and you are badly fed and nearly naked, iam going to lead you to great cities and great provinces, you will find great honours great wealth”.

 

In April 1796, Napoleon attacked Northern Italy and defeated Austrians at the battle Lodi and they signed the treaty of Compoformio where Austria was forced to surrender  the whole empire to Napoleon. He returned to France with a lot of loots, fame and glory and with this effect, a street in Paris was named Napoleon. While in Italy, he won the support of the masses when he told them that the French army had come to break the chain.

 

Egyptian Campaign of 1797.

By 1797, the Directory Government was threatened by Napoleon’s popularity

Yet they had Britain as their last enemy. In 1797, Napoleon was entrusted with 3800 soldiers to lead the Egyptian campaign against the British interest in the far and near East .they expected Napoleon to perish in the campaign. However, in July, 1798, Nelson defeated him at Alexandria. At the same time, he learnt from the English News paper that a coalition had been formed against France. Consequently, he escaped to Paris with Two small boats leaving his soldiers in Egypt

In order to avoid embarrassment, Napoleon organized a coup against the Directory Government and overthrew their government on the 9^th November, 1799.He was assisted by Abbey Sieyes and in 1804, he was declared Emperor of France.