Napoleon believed that national loyalties would never rally to the support of traditional regimes when a rational and progressive alternative existed. What evidence from across Europe indicated that he was wrong?
Napoleon Bonaparte was one of the most influential men in the course of human history. He was a brilliant and skillful general. He was able to use his military power to gain political power and eventually gain complete control of France. Even though he was an absolute ruler, he was seen as a champion of the revolution by the French people, as he brought forth new ideas and attempted to abolish the old way. He was able to take control of almost all of central Europe. He soon found, though, that, unlike his own french people, not all were so willing to be subject to his enlightened rule. National pride, along with the fondness and security of traditional institutions, overcame the people’s desire for reform and so they fought back. Napoleon failed to see this and it became his downfall.
Napoleon Bonaparte was one of the most influential men in the course of human history. He was a brilliant and skillful general. He was able to use his military power to gain political power and eventually gain complete control of France. Even though he was an absolute ruler, he was seen as a champion of the revolution by the French people, as he brought forth new ideas and attempted to abolish the old way. He was able to take control of almost all of central Europe. He soon found, though, that, unlike his own french people, not all were so willing to be subject to his enlightened rule. National pride, along with the fondness and security of traditional institutions, overcame the people’s desire for reform and so they fought back. Napoleon failed to see this and it became his downfall.
Three main areas of resistance:
1.) Spain
2.) Russian
3.) German states
2.) Russian
3.) German states
In all three areas the people's reactions to Napoleon and Napoleon's reaction to the people. The people rejected Napoleon's abolishment of the old institutions and policies they were fond of and his new policies, which they saw as him trying to make their home countries French. Napoleon failed to see the angry reactions the people would have, and was to stubborn to back down once he did.