Early Life of Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon Bonaparte was born at Ajaccio on 15th of August 1760 in a poor lawyer’s family of Corsica. The names of his father and mother were Charles Merry Bonaparte and Litizia Remolinio respectively.
Though his mother was an uneducated lady, yet she was very intelligent. Napoleon used to honour his mother very much. His family had respectful position. Formerly, Corsica was under the supremacy of Geneva but on it came under the influence of France.
The parents of Napoleon had taken part in the war of independence of Corsica and they had to several difficulties during the period. Napoleon Bonaparte had several stories of the war of independence and had decided to begin a war of independence against France.
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His Education
Napoleon Bonaparte received education at Paris and Brienne. He belonged to the family of lawyers of Corsica; hence Louis XVI had also helped him. He had to complete his education amidst the wealthy students of Paris and Brienne.
These boys used to make fun of to his poor circumstances. Napoleon used to utilize his vacant time study of books. He was fond of studying history, geography, politics, mathematics and philosophy.
He was greatly influenced by Rousseau. He used to say, “Had there been no Rousseau, there would have Napoleon.”
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He used to work very hard. Once he wrote to his mo don’t have any friend except the books.” In 1785 he was appointed 2ndLieutenant in the army at the age of sixteen.
War of Independence of Corsica
In 1789 when the people of Corsica waged a war of Independence against France, Napoleon participated in it along with his brother Joseph but on 30th November 1789 the National Assembly ended the then position of Corsica and made it a department of France.
It resulted in the advancement of the rights of the people living in Corsica and the between France and Corsica improved a lot.
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Lover of Discipline
Napoleon was a lover of discipline in the beginning of his life. He opposed the lawlessness of revolutionary France vehemently. In 1792 when the mob of Paris attacked the palace of Tuileries he said with contempt, “The people of France are very coward.
If they had murdered 400 or 500 people by the canons, the rest should have run away themselves.” At last the kings of Europe made an attack on France in order to put an end to the Revolution.
On 28th August 1793 the English Naval fleet invaded France and captured Toulon but Napoleon made fierce attack on Toulon and compelled the English to take to their heels. It was the first significant event of his life.
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Robespierre praised for his this action and promoted him to the post of Brigadier After this his relations with Robespierre grew thicker. Though he was also arrested on the downfall of Robespierre, very soon he was declared innocent and released.
Strong Will
The National Convention had passed the resolution that two-thirds of the members would be elected in Directory from the National Convention. The people being dissatisfied with the resolution revolted against the National Convention on 5th October 1795.
The National Guards consisting of 30,000 soldiers also supported the rebellion and the Convention had only 5000 soldiers on its side, but Napoleon fired fiercely on the Paris mob from 40 canons and complelled them to flee.
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The mob of Paris was terrified by this fierce opposition and the rebellion was crushed completely. This was the second great victory of Napoleon by which he saved France from the Civil War.
His services were commended and he was further promoted to the post of Commander of the Army of the Interior. His second great victory paved the way to his future successes and he was entrusted with the command of mounting an attack on Italy which proved fateful for him.
Marriage with Josephine Beauharnais
Two days earlier before his departure to Italy he was married to Josephine Beauharnais, a widow. Her husband was put to death during the Reign of Terror. Though she did not have fair complexion, yet her features were very attractive.
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She was about six years older than Napoleon Bonaparte. She was leading a life of a whore after the death of her husband.
Napoleon Bonaparte was attracted by her and married her. Some scholars are of the opinion that Napoleon was made the Chief Commander of the army proceeding to Italy due to this marriage, as Josephine Beauharnais had great influence.