The Napoleonic Revolution And The French Revolution

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Introduction

“To have good soldiers, a nation must always be at war” -Napoléon Bonaparte

After the bloody civil war in France in 1799, the execution of Louis XVI, and the overthrow of the French monarchy, Napoléon Bonaparte rose from the ashes of the former prosperous state, ascending to the First Consul of France in a coup d 'etat. His hope was to bring glory to the chaotic, corrupt, and crippled Republic. He established a state possessing a stable economy, a formidable military, and a strong feeling of patriotism in the people. He often compared himself to great conquerors like Alexander The Great and Julius Caesar, and for good reason. The Napoleonic Wars, and the French Revolution preceding it, helped drive innovation in warfare, culture, and drastically changed the political landscape; even now, it still has an enduring legacy.
Background

The French Revolution was integral leading up to the beginning of the Napoleonic wars. The intent of the revolution was to establish Enlightenment and democratic ideals, such as equal opportunity, free speech, and a democracy. Between the late 1780’s and the 1790’s, France was at war with itself, and a power vacuum became prevalent. Consequently, there was chaos in the streets. In a sense, it was class warfare, with peasants robbing and setting fire to the homes of the French elite.
A Broken Compromise

The Treaty of Amiens, signed on March 27, 1802,