-
Napoleon orders troops to surround the national legislature, driving out most of its members, those who remained dissolved the Directory and made the consul. The coup d'etat was a major political reform from the previous corrupt form of government that put Napoleon and three others in power.
-
Once approved by a vote, Napoleon was declared the first consult of three that ruled over a new and complex government. This is considered a political reform of Napoleon's legacy since it changed the fundamental political structure of France.
-
Napoleon acknowledges the broken and unstable economy of France left behind by the Directory. To combat this, Napoleon introduces a new national banking system that efficiently collected tax money and steadied France's economy. Napoleon's financial reform can be considered an economic achievement as it organized France's economy, making it stable.
-
To combat corruption in France from the Directory, Napoleon introduced a system of Lycees or government-run schools in France to provide the government with newly trained officials. The lycees allowed in young men of all backgrounds, who would later be appointed to public offices depending on the quality of their character. This act allowed Napoleon to weed out the bad influences of corrupt government officials while gradually introducing a solution to poor education, a social dilemma.
-
After Napoleon is proclaimed the first consult, he wanted to have the majority of Europe in peace in order to solidify his power. At the time Austria, alone, had been acting hostile towards France, so Napoleon entered into combat against the Austrians in Italy, this battle would be named the Battle of Marengo. Within a month the Battle of Marengo had been won by Napoleon. By losing this battle, Austria would be forced to sign the Treaty of Luneville, which reaffirmed the treaty of Campo Formio.
-
With the Treaty of Luneville, Napoleon created peace with Austria. This was a military achievement, as it was only possible by forcing Austria to sign the document after Napoleon's successful attack. By signing the treaty, Napoleon gave himself and the consul the leeway to reform France's government once there was general peace in Europe.
-
Napoleon declares the Roman Catholic Church as the official religion of France, in the Concordat of 1801. In return, the church allowed the owners of seized church property during the French Revolution to continue to possess that land. I believe this can be considered a social reform as it won Napoleon the interest of the Catholics and the people who owned former church property, which would promote his popularity in society and change the social status of the church.
-
Napoleon would, later on, sign the Treaty of Amiens joining France, Britain, Spain, and the Batavian Republic in a truce that would last about 14-months. This can be considered a military achievement as Napoleon makes peace with Britain, allowing him the time to improve the conditions within France.
-
This was also a good deal for Napoleon as assured the US the power to get their revenge on Britain, a common enemy for both France and America.
-
For the price of 15 million dollars, Napoleon sells Lousiana, 828,000 square miles of land, to the US. Napoleon sold that land because he feared America would inevitably invade the area seizing power over it. Knowing it would be a better deal to receive $15 million, he sold the land and used the money to fund foreign wars, which would classify this as an economical achievement because it explains how France would afford to pay for foreign wars.
-
Once general peace in Europe is established, Napoleon and the consuls gave France a new set of laws that removed numerous injustices from the previous broken form of government. This social achievement can be considered one of Napoleon's greatest achievements as it helped him bring law and order to France and eliminated many social injustices.
-
At Napoleon's coronation, Pope Pius VII handed Napoleon the crown where he then places the crown on his own head marking himself as emperor. This showed all of France that Napoleon had more power than the church and god, it also showed that he had the approval of both. Napoleon's coronation as emperor was a major political reform as it changed the government from a consul of three to Napoleon having the sole power of France.
-
After the Lousiana Purchase, Napoleon turns his attention to expanding the French Empire in Europe. Afraid of Napoleon's plans, Britain, Russia, Austria, and Sweden joined together to stop the expansion. In response, Napoleon attacks them in the Battle of Austerlitz, where his army came out on top. This was a great military achievement as Napoleon's men had defeated nearly 100,000 men in less than four hours.
-
The Battle of Jena also named the Battle of Jena-Auerstädt, was won by Napoleon in a battle between 122,000 French troops and 114,000 Prussians and Saxon. This attack was the cause of a later treaty between both parties involved, which is why it can be considered a military achievement.
-
During the Napoleonic Wars, Napoleon forbade neutral and French allies from trading with the British, this was the Continental System or a blockage. Napoleon's strategy was to isolate Britain from selling their goods to other countries to cause unemployment and damage British income. This can be considered a military achievement as it in fact damaged British commerce and was a brilliant strategy even though it was not sustainable long term.
-
After the Battle of Jena, Napoleon was able to sign a treaty between the French Empire, Russia, and Prussia. It claimed that Prussia would give up 50% of their land to the French, in secret Russia would join the Continental System if war continued with Britain. In return, the French Empire would help Russia conquer Finland. I find this to be a military achievement as it would not have been possible if Napoleon did not win the Battle of Jena.
-
He even changed the government of France to give the people what they were begging for, stability, after suffering through ten years of a Revolution. His strategies and achievements can paint a bigger picture that, in retrospect, shows he was a person who was able to succeed in pursuing his dreams of ruling the world. Although this was also his downfall, Napoleon did a good job when he put his ambitions towards any goal, like how he reordered France's system of laws, economy, and education.
-
After being exiled to the remote island, Saint Helena, Napoleon took his last breath. Napoleon had lot of ups and downs in his carrier, good and bad, but was undeniably an ambitious ruler, who will forever be apart of history. Napoleon was a military genius, who made it possible to rule such great amounts of property, won the battle of Austerlitz, Jena, and made it possible to enter into the Treaty of Luneville and Amiens.
