How was Napoleon I the Greatest Military Conqueror in European History?
Jacob Rona 4/20/2017
Block 2 World Geography
1,056 Words
Through all his struggles as a political leader and the fact that he was ruthless towards his own soldiers, Napoleon I is still the greatest military conqueror in European history. This is due to his groundbreaking strategies, ruthlessness, and experience. Great, as defined by Merriam Webster Dictionary means, remarkable in magnitude, degree, or effectiveness (Merriam Webster Dictionary). Napoleon I, exemplifies these traits which clearly make him the greatest military strategist in European history. He was a general who people still study today for his strategy, tactics and how he
…show more content…
Napoleon was not only ruthless toward the enemy but also against his own army. “He repeatedly abandoned the army to its fate and hastened back to Paris to secure his political position. This happened in Egypt, in Russia, in Spain, and in Germany”. (Johnson, 51). “Bonaparte cared nothing for the lives of his soldiers” (Johnson, Pg-50). This adaptation shows, again, that Napoleon didn't necessarily care about his own army, he only cared for power and success. This ruthlessness towards his own army made him feared throughout his country and all of Europe. The second piece of evidence shows that Napoleon was also ruthless in the way that he dictated the terms of peace leading to the take over of large swaths of other countries. “His aim throughout his career was to move swiftly to a position where he obliged the enemy to fight a major battle, destroy the enemy’s forces, and then occupy his capital and dictate peace terms.” (Johnson, 49). This piece of evidence exemplifies Napoleon’s ruthlessness by showing how his strategy of utter destruction and the suffering of the enemy leads to his ultimate goal of gaining