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1st November 2022 - Roy Johnstone The Rise and Fall of Napoleon On Tuesday 1st November members of Biggar Probus Club were treated to an excellent historical talk by Roy Johnstone entitled “The Rise and Fall of Napoleon”. Roy is a retired solicitor who now indulges his passion for History by researching and presenting on interesting historical topics. In less than an hour Roy dealt with the key events of Napoleon’s life from his birth in Corsica in 1769 to death in exile in St Helena at the age of 51. Roy also attempted to answer the question: Was Napoleon a “great” man or a bad man who did some good things? Napoleon was schooled in the south of France and went to military college becoming an Artillery officer. When the French Revolution occurred in 1789 he was was converted to it’s ideals after having supported Corsican independence. He defended the revolution in Corsica and defeated a Royalist insurrection in Toulon in 1795, further enhancing his reputation. He was appointed General of France’s Italian armies in 1796, and led them to triumph over the Austrian armies. In 1800 he was appointed 1st Consul of the Republic at the age of only 31. His battlefield triumphs continued in coming years at Marengo over the Austrian Empire, at Austerlitz over the Prussians, and over the Russians at Friedland. In 1804 Napoleon was made Emperor like his great hero Julius Caesar and by 1808 controlled most of Europe. From this high point Napoleon became increasingly autocratic. He failed in an attempt to support the re-establishment of slavery in Saint Dominique, became embroiled in the 5 year Peninsular War in 1808 which sapped French military resources; and most tellingly, invaded Russia in 1812 with disastrous consequences. After Napoleon’s army limped back from Moscow they were defeated at Leipzig and in 1814 the coalition forces captured Paris. Napoleon was deposed as Emperor and exiled to Elba. Although he escaped and succeeded in rallying an army to his cause, he was finally defeated at Waterloo and exiled to St Helena. Roy’s conclusion was that Napoleon had been a great military leader and introduced many lasting improvements to French Law, education and religious tolerance. His megalomania and callousness to casualties meant, however, he should not be considered a great man. Our next meeting will be at 10.00 on Tuesday 15th November when Bill Buchan will speak on “Hunting the King” |