13.2.1

Who was Napoleon Bonaparte?

Test yourself

Who was Napoleon?

In the midst of France’s chaos, a man called Napoleon Bonaparte rose to power in the military and went on to establish himself as leader of a powerful French Empire.

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Early life

  • Napoleon Bonaparte was born in 1769 AD, on the French island of Corsica.
  • From a young age, he was fascinated by military history.
  • He was sent to military academy when he was nine.
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The revolution

  • When he was old enough, Napoleon joined the French army.
  • When the revolution began in 1789 AD, he was twenty years old, and a junior artillery officer.
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Promotions

  • Napoleon’s passion and skill for fighting saw him quickly rise through the ranks of the army.
  • He became Brigadier General at the age of twenty-four.
  • At twenty-seven, he was made commander of France’s ‘Army of Italy’.
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National hero

  • Austria ruled Italy at that time; Napoleon used his ‘Army of Italy’ to defeat the Austrian army, which was much larger than his own.
  • His astonishing military success made many in France consider him a national hero.

Jump to other topics

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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