Napoleon's Noble Failure

             The Noble Failure of Napoleon Bonaparte
             Napoleon's reign ended in defeat and exile, and the largest empire since the height of the Roman Empire quickly disintegrated without its creator. In essence, Napoleon's career can be seen as its overall conclusive state: a failure. By no means, however, can one consider his rule to be one of meekness or lackluster. The self-made emperor worked relentlessly to change France in ways that he believed would better the country and the every day lives of its people. Many reforms he made, regardless of their flaws, were of noble and just cause. These reforms became his most lasting impression on Europe and the world today. Adjustments to the economy, education systems, and work force were all part of his Civil Code, which to this day remains the root for many of the constitutions of the world today (Burnham, 1). Napoleon, though not with any degree of perfection, did devote his life whole-heartedly to what he thought was right for France in his day and age. Many see this kind of devotion and enthusiasm as noble, therefore leading to the description of his career as a "noble failure."
             Napoleon first made a name for himself as an ambitious and talented general in the Italian army. In 1799, the French legislature chose him as one of three de-facto rulers and dubbed him a consul of France. He soon became First Consul with the re-writing of the constitution. This re-drawing of the constitution also gave him the right to choose the men that served as the Counsel of State, which was responsible for the law making of the country. By inviting men to service who were already loyal to him through military experience, Napoleon became a powerful leader of a personalized government. Within a year of his commencement of power, Napoleon had ended the decade of the French Revolution and revealed his vision for the country. The destruction of the French Republic into a military based aristo...

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