Napoleon

Napoleon Bonaparte (15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821) was a French military and political leader during the latter stages of the French Revolution. He served as the First Consul of the French Republic from November 11, 1799, until May 18, 1804. Napoleon then declared himself Emperor of the French and ruled from May 18, 1804, until April 6, 1814. He briefly returned to power for a period known as the Hundred Days in 1815, but was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo and exiled to the island of Saint Helena, where he died six years later.

Early Life

Napoleon was born on the island of Corsica, which had recently been sold by the Republic of Genoa to France. He was the fourth, and second surviving, child of Carlo Buonaparte, a lawyer, and his wife, Letizia Ramolino.

Military Career

Napoleon's military career began when he was sent to mainland France and enrolled in the royal military schools at Brienne and Paris. He quickly rose through the ranks during the French Revolution, becoming a general at the age of 24.

Political Career

Napoleon seized political power in France in a 1799 coup d'état and installed himself as First Consul. In 1804, he declared himself emperor and began to expand his empire across Europe. However, a disastrous invasion of Russia in 1812 marked a turning point in Napoleon's fortunes.

Exile and Death

After his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, Napoleon was exiled to the remote island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic, where he lived out the rest of his life. His death in 1821, at the age of 51, was officially recorded as due to stomach cancer, but there has been persistent speculation that he was poisoned.

Legacy

Napoleon is remembered for the establishment of the Napoleonic code, which has formed the basis of many civil law systems worldwide. He is also remembered for his role in spreading the French Revolution across Europe and for his aggressive and often successful military campaigns.

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