Was Napoleon Bonaparte a hero

Answer 1

People who lose a wars are often depicted as tyrants. Had Hitler had won the war we would not have heard about gas chambers and the inhumane acts that were made under his Dictatorship. History is never perfectly represented. It is most usually a History of winners.

As regards commanders in History, I believe he is highly regarded in France to this day, particularly due to his civil reforms. However in his generalship, and later years, his disregard for the lives of his own troops does taint his legacy. Nonetheless he is undoubtedly a hero.

He was a hero for France, because of his ability to win battles when his forces were inadequately supplied, as well as his ability to transform his troops into great soldiers.

I can see why this is such a valid question, but I would also like to add that most of the Napoleonic wars were actually not started by Napoleon. And also as a leader the French, people loved him, not just because he was a war hero but also because he was a great First Consul and Emperor. He brought about the end of religious unrest, revolutionary plots and unfair taxation. He also let most of the exiles, all but 100, come back to France. He lead a frugal life compared to those led by the kings of France before him and gave much back to France. Most importantly, what he gave not just to France but to the world, is his belief in talent over birth right. If Napoleon is not a hero, few if any, can be called one.

Personally, I do not believe he was a tyrant. I would say he was simply overambitious. But of course, this question has no correct answer. Learn about the man yourself and then judge for yourself.

Answer 2

Napoleon was a hero for many reasons. He reformed the French government, became the major-general, became First Consul of France through a unanimous referendum, used the excuse of strengthening France during hard times to make the title of First Consul hereditary and therefore becoming Napoleon I, emperor of France and conquered half of Europe bringing fame, fortune and glory to France.

Answer 3

I am a fan of Napoleon. However I do not think he is heroic. He is, to me, one of the greatest military commanders in history. The fact that his final battle was opposed by another: Wellington, is just one of those things that history provides for. Napoleon had a brief time at his height, say 1796 to 1809, and there were things that didn't altogether go as planned, or things that were planned that went wrong. In a sense he denies the French people the fruits of the revolution: He replaces the royal family with his own dynasty, Murat, for example. Nice umiforms but character, I think not. The fact that I am English rather than French, however, speaks volumes. The destruction that Napoleons armies wrought against Austria Russia & Prussia would not win him friends in continental Europe & I feel he was disdainful of his allies (Germans of various hues by & large) and he has few friends. But leadership, he personifies leadership, he is leadership: he is France. As with others in history: Rommel, Robert E Lee, Hannibal, for example, ultimately he is defeated. But his reputation remains intact. Hero ? no, it's just not the term I'd use to describe one of historys' greats. A great general, a great leader, a military icon. Wellington however is a hero, but the scale of the two men is vastly different, one is a great general & the other is a great general & an Emperor !

Answer 4

I am not quite sure what is meant by violent. He was not violent in his private life, i.e. he did not commit crimes against civilians while in power, but he was a military general and fought in numerous battles, killing several enemy soldiers while doing so.

Answer 5

He was a hero for France, because of his ability to win battles when his forces were inadequately supplied, as well as his ability to transform his troops into soldiers.

Answer 6

He was a part of a military coup against the lawful French Directory which was being a traitor to the government. It is however only traitorous if their coup fails,

Answer 7

To some extent Napoleon was a hero, he delivered the French People from the corrupt Dfirectory Government...

Answer 8

No, except in the early days regarding Corsica.