Would you characterize Napolean as a product and extension of the French revolut

Question:...or would you consider him a usurper who used the revolution to achieve his own selfish ambitions? Defend and support your answer.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: ...or would you consider him a usurper who used the revolution to achieve his own selfish ambitions? Defend and support your answer.

Napoleon Bonaparte took advantage of the anarchical situation of the French Revolution (Which was caused by the United States of America, mind) to gain power and take control. He could be related to Hitler, in a sense, because he used the economic, social, and political issues and weaknesses to overthrow the government, as well as conquer areas.

After the Revolution, French writer Alexis de Tocqueville wrote on the danger of social statuses becoming equal. For there to be peace in a nation, there had to be some form of power, and power typically follows the rich. Hence was the problem in the French society - the aristocratic class was revolted against and overthrown by the lower classes, who, during their anarchy, pretty much handed power over to Napoleon.

So, to put it in simpler terms, Napolean was both a product and the extension of the Revolution. If the lower class citizens had not given him the ability to overthrow and take control, he would not have become a product. In the same manner, because they did resort to anarchy and insurrection, his quests and conquerings became a side agenda. Bonaparte used the Revolution to his advantage to gain support as well as an excuse to conquer new lands in the name of the 'people' and 'citizens' of France.

In the end, he was all three of them. A product, because without the Revolution he would not have been able to succeed, an extension, because he prolonged the war for his own benefit and escapades, and a usurper, who (as I just stated) used the war for his own benefit and conquestual ambitions.

Product... because the aristocracy was leveled a commoner was able to rise through the ranks of the military to have some power... he attained great celebrity with his victories in the revolutionary conflicts and he managed the keep his failures from destroying him... he was able to fill the power vacuum left by the abscence of the aristocracy ... not only did he fill it the people were looking for someone and anyone that can play up the military hero is always a good choice

When Napoleon came to power, he kept some of the reforms created by the French revolution. Equality before the law and the 'career open to talents' (i.e. not depending on birth) were preserved.

However, in many ways he reverted to a pre-Revolutionary attitude towards the French people. Imprisonment without trial was re-itnroduced, as was stric censorship. The freedom of the press was stifled. the rights that had been granted to women were abolished. Although there were elective bodies, they had no real power, Napoleon ruled by imperial decree.

He was motivated above all by personal ambition. His plan to conquer the whole of Europe was motivated by a desire to extend his personal power. Like most men with delusions of grandeur, he over-reached himself.