Why was Napoleon so Successful?

Napoleon is considered by many one of the best – if not the best – military commanders of all time. Even Clausewitz, who wasn’t particularly fond of Napoleon, called him “the God of War”? What were the reasons for Napoleon’s success? Or was he just the most famous French general? Let’s look at his background, skill, traits, education, grand tactics, strategy, focus, the power of France and the French Revolution to see what allowed Napoleon to reach such a reputation that survived Waterloo.

Napoleon by vonKickass.

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Rothenberg Gunther E.: The Art of Warfare in the Age of Napoleon

Nosworthy, Brent: Battle Tactics of Napoleon and his Enemies

Browing, Peter: The Changing Nature of Warfare. The Development of Land Warfare from 1792 to 1945

Bruce, Robert B.; Dickie, Iain; Kiley, Kevin; Pavkovic, Michael F.; Schneid, Frederick C.: Fighting Techniques of the Napoleonic Age 1792 - 1815: Equipment, Combat Skills, and Tactics

Ortenburg, Georg: Waffen der Revolutionskriege 1792-1848

Fiedler, Siegfried: Taktik und Strategie der Revolutionskriege. 1792-1848

Mikaberidze, Alexander: The Battle of Borodino. Napoleon against Kutuzov. Napoleonic Wars. Campaign Chronicles

McNeill, William H.: The Pursuit of Power. Technology, Armed Force, and Society since A.D. 1000

Kieswetter, James K.: Napoleon I [1769-1812], in: Brassey’s Encyclopedia on Military History and Biography, p. 685-690

Felberbauer, Franz: Waffentechnik I – Band 1: Rohrwaffen, Lenkwaffen und Flugkörper, Ballistik, Zielen und Richten (Truppendienst)

Deutsche Militärgeschichte – 1648-1939: IX: Grundzüge der militärischen Landkriegsführung 1648-1939

Lavery, Brian: We shall fight on the Beaches. Defying Napoleon & Hitler, 1805 and 1940

Rogers, H.C.B.: Napoleon und seine Armee / Napoleon’s Army

Hughes, B. P.: Firepower – Weapon Effectiveness on the Battlefield, 1630-1850

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Song: Ethan Meixsell - Demilitarized Zone

[brotlowskyrgseg]

I have to say that trying to retake france with only a thousand men of his personal guard and actually succeeding in that, only to have an entire continent declare war on you personally, is one of the most badass moves in all of history.

[novat]

It should be noted that on the quote at 1:40. Peter Browning, the quoted author is mistaken in claiming that Bonaparte was crowned ''Emperor of France'', the real title was ''Emperor of the French''. Because in contrast to the recently deposed French King, who claimed the country of France as a personal possession. The title ''Emperor of the French'' distinguished that Napoleon was the leader of the French People, and that the old feudal system had been abolished.

Back in the day, the difference between the two was important. Nowadays, it's only important in the context of viewing history.

[b.thomas]

One of the things about Napoleon that you touched briefly on was something in ROTC that we studied extensively. Napoleon was really good a making sure that 1: his divisions were provisioned enough to fight for one day alone, and 2: that the rest of his Corps was no more than one day away from all of it's elements. This meant that if an element of the corps became engaged, it would have enough supplies, ammunition and manpower to hold out long enough for the rest of the Corps to arrive on scene. This necessitated a better educated staff at command level, good local intelligence, and competent officers on the front lines due to the fact that those officers had to be able to make competent decisions during battle while waiting on orders from high command. Promotion from the ranks based on merit insured that the officers on the scene of battle were able to perform at a bare minimum, adequately, and in most cases, with extreme excellence. This gave the French army a huge advantage over their European Counterparts which commonly sold their commissions to anyone willing to pay the fee for it.

Excellent break down.

[Skarbrand_the_exiled]

My enemies are many.  My equals are none.  In the shade of olive trees they said Italy could never be conquered.  In the land of pharos and kings they said Egypt could never be humbled.  In the realm of forests and snow, they said Russia could never be tamed.  Now they say nothing.  They fear me, like a force of nature a dealer in thunder and death.  I say, I am Napoleon! I am emperor!  Burn it!

[jeffkodiac]

When one asked to Wellington who was the greatest general . His answer was ""In this age, in past ages, in any age, Napoleon"

[The_Old_Gang]

I called the number from your video, now I have a french infantry division in my backyard...

help...

[waliahmed]

People seem to forget that although he was the greatest military general he could also govern he took control of a country near anarchy and made it great again and his economic reforms cant be ignored he was also writing constitutions and organizing governments himself when he first defeated Austria in italy

[MartinCHorowitz]

You left out one of his innovations, he arranged for the development of canned food to supply his troops, as He said an Army travels on its stomach

[giojacycadalzo]

Napoleon's qualities are perfect for a blitzkrieg general. No wonder Guderian studied his 1806 campaign against Prussia.

[TheIfifi]

Napoleon named himself "Emperor of the French" not emperor of France, there is a rather grand difference there and it's not just a play on word.

[kevinbyrne]

Napoleon basically prevented his opponents from concentrating their forces against him. He would restrain one enemy army from reaching the battlefield while he defeated the other army.

[thomasalegredelasoujeole]

There is one small point i wished to bring forward : Napoleon completely reformed the armies that, before, were organized by regiments from various regions of France, all speaking a different idiom. By redistributing them to affectation by skills and use (Grenadiers, liners etc.) he changed radically from the organization that prevailed since the Romans

[VRichardsn]

Napoleon's ability to influence men is legendary. Here is a little excerpt as to why:


Okay, now we start.

After a hard fought victory against the Austrians, Napoleon reviewed the 13th Regiment of Light Infantry, which had played a key role in the battle, and asked the colonel to name its bravest man. The Colonel thought for a moment: "Sire, it is the Drum Major." Napoleon immediately asked to see the young bandsman, who appeared, quaking in his boots. Then Napoleon announced loudly for everyone to hear, "They say that you are the bravest man in this regiment. I appoint you a knight of Légion d'Honneur, Baron of the Empire, and award you a pension of four thousand francs." The soldiers gasped. Napoleon was famous for his well-timed promotions and for promoting soldiers on merit, making even the lowliest Private feel that if he proved himself, he could someday be a Marshal. But a Drum Major becoming a Baron overnight? That was entirely beyond their expectations and had an electrifying effect, particularly on the newest conscripts, the ones who were most homesick and depressed.

He was a charismatic commander and a great battle captain; he imposed his genius and personality on his army and inspired his troops, veterans and recruits, Frenchmen and foreign alike, with fierce pride, loyalty and devotion. The impression which he made by his presence, can be described by no other term that that of grandeur. When a French band serenaded the Emperor, they vested their patriotic air with the essence of their hearts and souls - for this man seemed the very embodiment of the cause for which they happily risked their lives. As the Emperor on horseback reviewed the regiments, the troops greeted him with mounting enthusiasm. The shouts of the soldiers, thousands upon thousands of them even drowned out the music of the regimental bands, whose members were playing their hearts out, sounding the glorious marches of the Empire. Everyone made an effort to get close enough to see HIM. The infantry raised their shakos aloft on the points of their bayonets, the cavalry brandished their sabers and lances. From every section of the battlefield arose a mighty roar: "Vive l'Empereur !" The troops were practically delirious. Even his enemies were fascinated with him. Von Wedel, a German officer, once wrote: "The aura of his greatness subjugated me as well, and giving way to enthusiasm and admiration, I like the others, shouted <Vive l'Empereur!>"

The least word of praise was treasured unto death by the recipient; the slightest rebuke could reduce a hardened grenadier to tears. Ministers and Marshals wondered at the breadth of his intellect; ordinary citizens and soldierly became willing propagators of his legend. He had been a soldier all his life, climbing from Sous-Lieutenant to Emperor, so the professional bond with his troops was profound. To his veterans 'Emperor' was a military rank above 'General' or 'Marshal'. Soldiers never addressed him as 'Your Majesty' or 'Sire' but always 'Mon Empereur'. He seldom forgot a face, never a kindness.

In 1812 Napoleon stopped in front of Italian Officer Calosso, and said few words to him. The brave Colosso wrote about that special day: "Before that, I admired Napoleon as the whole army admired him. From that day on, I devoted my life to him with a fanaticism which time has not weakened. I had only one regret, which was that I only had one life to place at HIS service."

All feared his rages; all admired his abilities and application, for no subject seemed beyond his powers. His memory appeared limitless, as did his capacity for applied hard work. This combination of qualities set him apart from other men, and accounts in large measure for their willingness to accept his will, and even die in execution of his orders. 'So it is', recalled the war-hardened General Vandamme (yes, that was his real name, look it up), 'that I, who fear neither God nor devil, tremble like a child at his approach."

From the early campaigns of Italy, to the 100 Days, French soldiers would go to the ends of the earth for Napoleon and for no one else.

Russia has Suvorov, England has Nelson, Prussia has Frederick the Great. The World has Napoleon.

[manilajohn]

There are a number of reasons why Napoleon was so successful. At the top of the list is Napoleon himself- the "man of action"- the man who "...may lose a battle, but will never lose a minute". His personal initiative, organizational skills, charisma, his focus on objectives, and his attention to detail without wallowing around in it, are all prominent aspects of his personality. Additional factors are (not necessarily in order):
1. His Army Corps system.
2. His emphasis on promotion based on merit.
3. The revolutionary step.
4. His emphasis on making war pay for war by stripping the army's trains to a minimum and living off of the enemy countryside.
5. His refusal to see obstacles as insurmountable.

[josefseibl]

So you are saying he would have been a great RTS player?

[fernfreeman]

Napoleon was a military genius but people may not realized how hard he worked and prepared for each battle or campaign.

[Jon.A.Scholt]

@6:10 I think the absence of the staff officers he had fought with for 15 years in the 100 days certainly played a major factor in his defeat. Without his trusty Marshal Berthier there to quickly and accurately interpret and disseminate Napoleon's orders the efficiency of the Grande Armee was greatly reduced. Napoleon said after Waterloo, "Had Berthier been there, I would not have met this misfortune". Napoleon understood the necessity of great staff work and when he did not have it he realized how much it cost him.

[Ixonyard]

20:20 He had well developed social skills : he kept hammering his underlings and opponents with logic and reasoning :)

[klintmaurer]

It's always amazed me the success that Napoleon had, with such turmoil in France at the time. Usually civil unrest causes countries to turn inwards, as Russia in WW1. It seems like it would have been even more difficult to gain French support to invade other countries at this time, but it must have had the opposite affect in this case. Either way it amazes me that he was able to do this.

[enochexe]

I love how you supported your points with citations. Good work man!