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Napoleon’s Report Card
By Sam and Daniel
Marking Guide
•A
•B
•C
•D
= Excellent
= Good
= Passable
= Failure
Military
Abilities
•B
1769-1800
Napoleon did a formidable job in defending France and conquering Northern Italy and Egypt. He does not however
deserve to receive an A because the Turkish, with the help of a small naval squadron from Britain, used the unarmed
fort of Acre to repel the French, and drive them from Egypt. After losing a large amount of his navy to a British attack
commanded by Admiral Nelson, Napoleon fled Egypt, for home with a small number of scientists and Officers from his
Army, leaving most of his men for dead in Egypt. “All the same, the destruction of the French fleet wrecked Napoleon’s
military plans. After repulsing a Turkish force backed by the British in Syria, he decided to cut his losses and return
home, leaving most of his army behind. “ ( Blackwood, 1986)
Napoleon had many successful conquests in the late 1700’s , driving the Austrians from the Papal Territories of
northern Italy, pursuing them into Austria all the way to Vienna . “Napoleon led his troops in an attack on the Austrian
Empire’s north Italian provinces. Using tactics of swift movement and surprise, he captured Turin and Milan, and in
January 1797 defeated the bulk of the Austrian army at Rivoli.” (Blackwood, 1986)
1801-1812
•A
Napoleon successfully led the French to military domination of continental Europe. “On December 2,
1805, the first anniversary of his coronation, Napoleon met a combined Austrian and Russian army at
Austerlitz (in what is now Czechoslovakia). Between dawn and suck of that brief winter’s day he fought an
army far larger than his own, killing or capturing nearly 30, 000 of the enemy soldiers and hundreds of
guns. The Battle of Austerlitz was his most stunning victory.”(Blackwood, 1986 )Napoleon and his men
conquered most of Europe, from Holland ,to Austria and Italy, all with minimal losses.
He and his marshals defeated the Jena and Auerstadt in 1806, and the Russians at Eylau and
Friedland, now both in Poland, in 1807… On land, at least, Napoleon seemed unbeatable. He was a
master of nearly the whole of continental Europe, from Northern Germany to southern Italy, and
from Poland to Pyrenees.” (Blackwood, 1986)
1813-1821
•C
Napoleon was beaten brutally many times during the last years of his life, eventually being exiled to St.
Helena in the south Atlantic. “In the winter of 1813-14, the armies of the coalition invaded France.
Napoleon fought some brilliant defensive actions, but he could not prevent the capture of Paris by the
Russians and Prussians. His own position suddenly collapsed.” (Blackwood, 1986) The Battle of Waterloo in
June 1815 was Napoleon’s worst defeat. In one afternoon is brilliant political career and life as a military
genius was ended.
“The actual fighting began shortly before noon on June 18, 1815, with the French guns firing across the
grain fields. From then until evening a furious battle was fought, with the French trying to dislodge
Wellington’s men and drive them back to Brussels a few kilometers away… A final charge was made by the
Old Guard led by Marshal Ney. It was turned back by the fire of the British infantry and tumbled back
down the sloping ground… A great cheer welcomed Wellington as he rode along the line and gave the
order to advance. The Battle of Waterloo was won and Napoleon’s career ended.(Trueman, Schaffter,
Stewart and Hunter 1979)
Final Grade
•B
Napoleon was one of the greatest
generals in history . Although he
ultimately suffered defeat his many
magnificent conquests show him to be
a tactical genius who at one point ruled
most of Europe. “On Dec 2nd 1805, the
first anniversary of his coordination,
Napoleon met a combined Austrian
and Russian army at Austerlitz (in what
is now the Czech Republic and
Slovakia). Between dawn and dusk of
that brief winter’s day he fought an
army far larger than his own killing or
capturing nearly 30,000 of the enemy
soldiers and hundreds of guns”.
(Adapted fromBlackwood, 1986)
1793
Victory at Toulon
1796-97
Victory at Turin,
Milan and Rivoli
1805
Victory at Austerlitz
1805
Defeat at Trafalgar
1807
Victory at Eylau
1807
Victory at Jena
1809
Victory at Wagram
1815
Defeat at Waterloo
Political Abilities
1769-1800
•A
Napoleon was a smart politician in the early years. He did a good job in endearing himself to the peasants.
“ On his return from Italy he made a point of wearing civilian dress, seeking the company of scientists and
other learned men, and avoiding military pomp and public appearances”. That helped him secure the role
as First consul without much opposition. He out smarted Abbé Sieyes and the rest of the directory into
having him named First Consul.( Ruler of France)
1801-1812
•A
Napoleon established himself as an astute politician by
reinstating the church to France and creating the
Napoleonic code. “The code was moderate in tone, and
combined much that was good in the old laws of France
with the basic ideas of the revolution-equality of all men
before the law, freedom of conscience , freedom of work,
and the separation of Church and State. … It tried to
strengthen the family by giving the father real authority. A
fathers consent was necessary for the marriage of sons up
to the age of twenty five and daughters up to the age of
twenty one”.(Trueman, Schaffter, Stewart and Hunter 1979)
He bettered the educational system of France by making
everyone eligible to attend school and making the
educational system uniform throughout his empire. He also
installed the University of France
1813-1821
•D
Napoleon’s last days as emperor were difficult on him. He lost most of the territories he had gained and was
forced to abdicate the throne of France. “On April 1st , 1814, a provisional government was formed and
persuaded the Senate to depose of the Emperor… Napoleon wrote out his abdication.” (Trueman,
Schaffter, Stewart and Hunter 1979) Napoleon even went as far as to proclaim his political life was over.
“My political life is over”. (Napoleon),(Blackwood, 1986)
Final Grade
•B
Napoleon was a great politician
early in his reign. While he was
somewhat of a disappointment
later in his tenure, he must be
remembered as a great politician
because his Napoleonic Code is still
used to some extent even today.
“He also laid down a new civil and
legal code, the code Napoleon, …
By these methods Napoleon
created blueprint for most modern
systems of government and
law.’(Blackwood, 1986)
1800
Named First Consul
1801
Returned
Christianity to
France
1802
Created Napoleonic
Code
1802
Signs Peace treaty
with Britain
1804
Named Emperor of
France
1806
Established the
continental system
1808.
Established
University of France
International
Relations
1769-1800
•B
In 1769 to about 1793, Napoleon had a decent relationship with international countries, because
everyone was keeping France down after it had been weakened by the French Revolution. When at the
age of 24, in 1793 Napoleon was promoted to captain of artillery, and began winning battles against his
usually victorious opponents, that is when his relationships with other countries begun to sour. England,
who had previously just started to get one up on France, was starting to lose battles thanks to the genius
of Napoleon Bonaparte.
1801-1812
•C
•
During 1801 to 1812, Napoleon had ruined any chance of a relationship with England. England was still
standing their ground, and Napoleon was basically bartering with other countries like Austria. When there
was an up rise against France from Austria, Napoleon beat them back down again, for example, “…at
Wagram, near Vienna in 1809. On land, at least Napoleon seemed unbeatable. He was master of nearly
the whole continental Europe, from northern Germany to southern Italy, and from Poland to the
Pyrenees.” (Blackwood,1986)
•D
1813-1821
As seen below, Napoleon was slowly coming to a
halt. At age 46, in 1815, Napoleon’s career was on
a downward slope. He fought many battles
against countries he had previously conquered,
because France was now at stake. In 1815,
Napoleon was temporarily exiled, because the
French people were starting to find him as an
embarrassment to France. When the countries
who were fighting France became too much for
the people of France to handle, Napoleon was
brought back to France near June 1815, to defend
France in his last attempt at a his career and to
help France defend France’s ground in The Battle
of Waterloo. Napoleon did not think this
through, seriously underestimating the leader of
the opponent’s army, Duke of Wellington.
Wellington cleverly outwitted Napoleon, who fled
from the battle, ashamed of himself. The same
day he lost that battle, he was exiled, this time
permanently to the island of St. Helena, where he
spent the rest of his days until he died in 1821.
Final Grade
Napoleons International Relations were awful. His
relations deteriorated the longer his tenure lasted.
Although he did make some treaties that aided him
with taking control of Europe, he failed to make
himself any friends, but succeeded in making many
enemies.
1797
Traded the
Republic of
Venice for
Belgium and
Lombardy.
1798
Invaded
Switzerland to
finance Egyptian
invasion.
1802
Treaty of Amiens
giving temporary
peace between
France and
Britain.
1806
Established the
Continental
Geographical
Knowledge
1769-1800
•B
•
Napoleon recognized early on that it would be
senseless to extend the French borders, unless he
was able to extend those borders to impassable
natural boundaries of Europe. “The aim of
revolutionary France was to extend it’s borders
from the Rhine to the Alps to correspond with
those of ancient Gaul” (Trueman, Schaffter,
Stewart and Hunter 1979)
Ancient Gaul
1801-1812
•A
Napoleon showed good recognition of certain geographical advantages he could use to defeat an Austrian
uprising. “Bonaparte gathered an army quickly and entered Italy by crossing the alps over the Great St.
Bernard pass. Some twenty-five kilometers of this route were impassable for wheeled vehicles so that the
cannon had to be put in hollowed logs and dragged by ropes… The Austrians remained quite unaware of
his advance and were thrown into confusion when his army came down out of the mountains and stood
between them and their base”. (Trueman, Schaffter, Stewart and Hunter 1979 )
1813-1821
•C
Napoleon planed to use old strategies to dispose of the armies around Waterloo, he failed to realize that
his opponents would have studied his tendencies t, and adapted to them. While his strategy worked on
one front, he failed to realize the advantages the British had by staying near Waterloo. “His strategy was
the one that had served him so well in the past. He would knock out the two enemy armies in the north
before they could combine, and then turn to the east with the expectation of repeating the process. He
himself attacked the Prussians under the General Blücher while Ney attacked an English and German
army commanded by Wellington… Wellington’s army withdrew to a position near the Belgian village of
Waterloo. It was his favorite position for a battle, a low ridge behind the crest of which he could position
his men out of danger until the time came for them to come over the top, and in three long lines deliver
shattering volleys into the advancing French Columns.” (Trueman, Schaffter, Stewart and Hunter 1979)
Final Grade
•B
During his younger years, Napoleon tried
and did what was thought the impossible
thanks to his open mind and daring and
new ideas to conquer his s enemy on their
own turf. Later on in his life Napoleon
began to be overconfident and
predictable, failing miserably. If thought
about, Napoleon, at the height of his
career, conquered and ruled most of
Europe.
French Empire at its greatest extent, c.1810
showing major battles of the Napoleonic Wars.
Ethics
1769-1800
•C
In the year of 1793, Napoleon became a captain of artillery. For Napoleon, the events of the time could not
have been better; in ten year he would rise to become the most powerful man in the world. During the
years of 1793 and 1800, Napoleon leads the French to many battles: forcing the Austrians out of Italy, lying
siege to Mantua and at Rivoli where he beat the Austrian Army badly once again. In 1797, “…Bonaparte
made one of the deals which gave his the reputation for heartless cynicism. Instead of halting the war, he
offered Austria the Republic of Venice in return for Belgium (the Austrian Netherlands) and Lombardy.
Venice had been neutral in the war but it was weak—and to be weak was to invite the contempt of
General Bonaparte.” (Trueman, Schaffter, Stewart and Hunter 1979) The only place where Napoleon
really wrecked the opportunity to be perfect was in Egypt. When the English had depleted most of his
fleet, leaving the French army and Napoleon stranded in Egypt, “On the night of August 22, 1799, with his
chief of staff, some of his best officers, and a few of the scientists who had accompanied him to Egypt, he
slipped quietly away on a fast frigate bound for France. The army and its new commander, Kléber did not
know he was gone until the next day, when that astonished and furious officer got the letter Bonaparte
had left him appointing him to the command of the imprisoned army.” ( Trueman, Schaffter, Stewart and
Hunter 1979) With Bonaparte’s selfish thinking, he left his men for dead, and saved his own hide.
1801-1812
•D
In the years of 1801-1812, Napoleon’s paranoia was beginning to show more and more. ““In the spring of
1802 Bonaparte had reached the highest point of his career. He controlled France with the full support, as
he was soon to prove, of the middle class and cast majority of the people. He controlled the newspapers
and suppressed those likely to oppose him. He commanded the army…. He had made peace with the
Church and with Britain. He had regained colonies France had lost without making any concessions or
giving up any French territory.” (Trueman, Schaffter, Stewart and Hunter 1979)
1813-1821
•D
Napoleon spent his first two years in this time period as a gradually losing emperor. From January to
March 1814, Bonaparte fought many great battles to no use. He was forced to retreat from Russia, he
waited until he had no choice, and in doing so inadvertently killed most of his Grand Army. “By November
the icy storms of the Russian winter fell on the stumbling army and completed the destruction begun by
the Russian forces, which harried it every step of the way. While still in Russia, Napoleon turned the
command over to his brother-in-law, Marshal Murat, and hurried back to Paris to crush a revolt that had
broken out. By the middle of December, 1812, only twenty thousand starving, frost-bitten survivors of the
Grand Army struggled out of Russia to safety.” (Trueman, Schaffter, Stewart and Hunter 1979)
Final Grade
•D
1798
Shot 3000 prisoners of
war at Jaffa.
1799
Fled Egypt with his chief
of staff and a few
officers and scientists,
leaving his army for
dead.
1812
Left his army in Russia
Napoleon’s personal ethics were
horrible. He put himself before his
country and abandoned his men to
death to further his ambitions.
Bibliography
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Quotes- Modern Perspectives-Trueman, Schaffter, Stewart and Hunter 1979- Mcgraw-Hill Ryerson
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Quotes-Napoleon-Blackwood 1986- Wayland (Publishers) Limited.
Title Picture- http://library.gmu.edu/resources/french/Francais%20Databases.html
Millitary Abilities title picturehttp://shuzak.com/Personal/Blog/uploaded_images/NapoleonStart%20copy-704617.jpg
First Consul Picture- Blackwood 1986- Wayland (Publishers) Limited.
Napoleonic Code picture- Blackwood 1986- Wayland (Publishers) Limited.
Geographical Knowledge Title picture-Euratlas.com
Map of Ancient Gaulhttp://images.encarta.msn.com/xrefmedia/aencmed/targets/maps/mhi/T041499A.gif
Political Cartoons- http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/n/napoleon_bonaparte.asp
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