Napoleon Bonaparte was a great military and political leader of France whose actions changed Europe’s history.

He was born in Corsica (an island in the Mediterranean) and trained as an artillery officer in France, Napoleon became well known under the First French Republic and led successful campaigns against the First and Second Coalitions that fought against France. In 1799, he staged a coup and installed himself as First Consul; and five years later he crowned himself Emperor of France. In the nineteenth century, he declared war on every major European power and dominated continental Europe through a series of military victories. He expanded France's area of influence by the formation of extensive alliances and the appointment of friends and family members to rule other European countries as French states.

The French invasion of Russia in 1812 marked the turning point in Napoleon's fortunes. His army was badly defeated in the campaign and never fully recovered from it. In 1813, the Sixth Coalition (Prussia, Austria, Sweden, Russia, Great Britain, Spain, and Portugal) defeated his forces at Leipzig, Germany—then Prussia; the following year the Coalition invaded France, forced Napoleon to step down as emperor and exiled him to the island of Elba.

Less than a year later, he escaped Elba and returned to power, but was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo in June 1815. Napoleon spent the last six years of his life under British supervision on the island of Saint Helena. An autopsy concluded he died of stomach cancer, though some scientists have since claimed that he was poisoned with arsenic.

The conflict with the rest of Europe led to a period of total war across the continent; his campaigns are studied at military academies the world over. He is considered a tyrant by his opponents. But why do I consider him a great leader?

Firstly, he created the Napoleonic code. It is a French civil code, established under Napoleon in 1804. It entered into force on March 21, 1804. It is considered the first successful codification (the process of collecting and restating the law of a jurisdiction in certain areas, usually by subject, forming a legal code) and influenced the law of many other countries greatly. The Napoleonic Code, whichs stresses on clearly written and accessible law, was a major step in establishing the rule of law. Historians have called it "one of the few documents which have influenced the whole world."

Secondly, during the early years of his career in Paris,he was known for wandering amongst the common soldiers on watch late at night. He knew most of them by name and they were like old friends. He gave them his support and shared the watch with them. By doing this he inspired his men and gained their respect and loyalty. This shows that he respected all his men, including the lowliest soldier on guard duty. He even did guard duty with them, showing sevant leadership, which is an important virtue that one must possess to be able to lead others.

This kind of behavior from him gained his soldier’s loyalty. This was the loyalty that dragged soldiers across Europe and into Africa. It gave him many of his victories. It made him a great leader.

However, in his later years, his newfound powers lead him to start to disregard his troop’s welfare. His troops thus lost morale and confidence and caused his downfall.

He was also very greedy. He declared war on the entire Europe to get more land for the French and expand his power.

This two characteristics made him a leader who is most remembered for being a tyrant.

France in Napoleon's time
Red=occupied
Blue= Allied
yellow=hostile
Green=France

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napolean