History vs. Napoleon Bonaparte - Alex Gendler

Napoleon Bonaparte rose to prominence during the French Revolution— but did he save the revolution or destroy it? You decide.

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After the French Revolution erupted in 1789, Europe was thrown into chaos. Neighboring countries’ monarchs feared they would share the fate of Louis XVI and attacked the new Republic, while at home, extremism and mistrust between factions led to bloodshed. In the midst of all this conflict, Napoleon emerged. But did he save the revolution, or destroy it? Alex Gendler puts Napoleon on trial.

Lesson by Alex Gendler, animation by Brett Underhill.

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[TEDEd]

If you like this video, check out some of the other lessons in our "History vs." series, which includes videos on Genghis Khan, Vladimir Lenin and more:

[aaron]

"My enemies are many, my equals are none" - Napoleon Bonaparte

[bubbabluehorn]

The polish anthem literally has Napoleon in their anthem. “Bonaparte”. And it says how he helped them get their land back for a bit.

[jumbocatstudios]

Another reason why Napoleon is considered short is because he often appointed tall men for his bodyguards, to make them more intimidating. So thus, when in the midst of them, he looked shorter than he actually was.

[IsaiahINRI]

"I saw the crown of France laying on the ground, so I picked it up with my sword" -Napoleon Bonaparte

[crematedpapa]

I always found Napoleon kinda badass. He invaded Europe. Then exiled to an island with no escape. Came back and overthrew the government with no shots fired.

[abhinavtiku]

Whatever you think of Napoleon, the man lived a life worth more than a hundred men! A nobody from a backwater island who rose to become a genius-level general, an emperor who was sent into exile twice (because once couldn't stop him). His work ethic was obsessive, his ambition all-consuming, his goal absolutely clear. Through the will of one man, Europe was united on a scale not seen since the Roman Empire. He was the greatest actor on the stage of Europe at the beginning of the modern world. His historical legacy is rightfully contradictory and controversial. But the man lived.

[Shane]

Pretty fair, except for the quick summary of the Napoleonic wars failing to mention that England never recognized Napoleon, broke the peace of Amiens, and helped to organize a total of five coalitions against him, which was the whole point of enforcing a blockade.

[jamesbautista]

Fun Fact, Napoleon is a huge reason why we have canned food today. Because he was thinking about how to help his hungry soldiers during their long campaigns.

[ericmarseille]

Napoleon said "My legacy will be my civil law code"...His legacy is indeed his civil law code, from which many countries derived theirs.

He also said famously "Look very carefully at this world map...Here lies a sleeping giant. Let him sleep...For when he awakes, the world will quake.", speaking of China.

[Gminakawa]

Here in Brazil we're a thankful for Napoleon invasions across Europe if it wasn't for that Brazil would take far more years to have its independence

[josephineliu]

I'm not French and I've studied Napoleon for years due to my interest to him. I think he's a great guy!

[prptheawesome]

When Napoleon got back to France after his exile, the law enforcement was called to go after him. As soon as they were in his presence, they kneeled. The middle and upper class were uneasy about his reappearance, but the poor loved him. Even if he gave the power to himself, he fought for the people. No one can say he didn’t love France and for that reason he is Emperor of the French.

[_]

in France, we really like Napoleon ;D

[КрасныйКайзер]

Napoléon Bonaparte: not the Emperor of France, Emperor of the French.

[oscarking]

Napoleon was taller than the Duke of Wellington

[gartrux]

He didn’t save the revolution, he WAS the revolution.

-Napoleon

[jamessnee]

The British are, by far, the best in the world.
The best in the world at rewriting history.
I always wondered why Napoleon was so demonized by history. Portrayed as a threat to the Western World when it was really the Monarchies of Europe who felt the heat.
I could have guessed it was the Brits.

[GundemaroSagrajas]

That "Viva la vida" painting that everyone uses to talk about the French Revolution actually references the SECOND French Revolution in 1830

[tummywubs]

I feel napoleon was a mixture of both good and bad, though we must try our hardest to look not with modern eyes. Many who do not like him forget the fact many nations were doing just as many terrible things and tried to bully him into submission whilst the other side tries to praise him and justify any bad act he did. All I am certain of is that he was a creation of the time and a excellent commander. What a life he lived.