Napoleon Bonaparte, born in then Italian Corsica in 1769, was the dominant personality of his time. He died in exile on the lonely British South Atlantic island of St. Helena in 1821. But though he was a shell of his former self living in isolation in the middle of nowhere, his life cast a long shadow, and his influence continued for decades after his death. His military philosophy and tactics are still taught throughout the world, for though the weapons of today are much different than those used by his armies, the tactics he used on the battlefield are timeless: speed, audacity, and surprise being foremost among them.

Napoleon Bonaparte is one of the most fascinating men in history. If this introduction to the darker side of Napoleon interests you, please “like” and subscribe to our channel! Vive' l'France!

Napoleon became Emperor of France in 1804, though he had been the country's de facto ruler since 1799. For anyone to become emperor after the French Revolution of 1789 and the years immediately after had been unthinkable. The Revolution took place to rid France of a king and a system of privilege and oppression. That revolution cost a lot of blood and treasure and caused years of struggle and chaos in France. When Napoleon was ready to take power, the French were tired of political violence and upheaval, high prices, food shortages, and corrupt government. Napoleon, like Caesar more than 1800 years before him, promised law, order, and economic stability.For the first years of his reign, Napoleon managed to do just that, bring a sense of stability. He also brought France military glory. He rose to fame in the 1790s through his prowess on the battlefield. He helped to bring the ideals of the French Revolution to many parts of Europe. Unfortunately for France and Napoleon, his "eyes were bigger than his stomach," and he "bit off more than he could chew," making enemies of Great Britain and Russia.