Napoleon: A True Son Of The Revolution?

3 Pages 804 Words

The French Revolution was the culmination of the country’s financial strain and increasing tension about the rights of the nobles and the restricted freedoms of the third estate, also known as the bourgeoisie. In such an economically and politically strained time, the people of France found the strength they desired in a leader in Napoleon Bonaparte. Though revolutionists sought “liberte, egalite, and fraternite,” Napoleon betrayed these three important ideals that the country was seeking. Despite the many things he did to strengthen the country after very tumultuous times, Napoleon sacrificed the principles that the French people had risked so much for in the Revolution.
The Revolutionaries of 1789 were very simplistic and also very philosophical in their wishes for a new France. Firstly they held strongly to the idea of equality. In a time when nobility had more rights and freedoms in comparison with lower class citizens of France, the Revolutionaries sought equality based on merit and talent rather than by birth. Though many argued over the practicality of strict equality, the general definition for the kind of equality they wanted was merely for all people to have an equal chance at happiness (Foret, 672). Under the ideal of equality, the Revolutionaries longed for equality amongst religions and a representative government. The second principle that was a staple in the Revolution was liberty. Liberty and equality tended to cover many similar values that the Revolution was fought for but mainly referred to the nullification of “exemptions, immunities, and privileges” enjoyed by nobility (717). Lastly and most difficult to define, Revolutionaries sought for fraternity after many years of civil disorder in France. Though one of the most left out concepts, fraternity emerges in the success of both equality and liberty. It calls merely for benevolence and sensitivity to your fellow man and a certain aspect of emotionali...