FACTORS FOR THE RISE OF NAPOLEON TO POWER.

 1. The French Revolution;

There is a common agreement that Napoleon was a product of the French Revolution without which, he would have died a common man. Napoleon’s rise to power was greatly due to the progressive events of the French Revolution. He exploited the opportunities provided by the revolution to become Emperor of France, yet he was from a poor family. The French Revolution contributed in the following ways:

a)      The Revolution abolished social discriminative class system and offered equality for opportunities for talented men like Napoleon. i.e., it brought the principle of career opened to talents where Napoleon was promoted.

b)      The revolution cleared off all the senior military Generals of Noble class by 1792 especially during reign of Terror. this created chance for a young Artillery officer Napoleon to come to power.

c)      The Revolution provided chance for Napoleon to expose his abilities and military talents. i.e., in the Italian campaign and Egyptian campaign, though he failed in Egypt, he was considered a Hero and it increased his popularity.

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.