of recruits in the province of Vendee fires a spark in this powder keg. Twelve «hellish columns» of the Republic are tormenting civilians, launching a large-scale «Franco-French genocide». It seems that the goal of the revolutionary French is now the complete annihilation of the peasants, the creation of agrarian towns from the «conscious», ready to participate in all the adventures of the Convention, which do not prevent the withdrawal of bread, etc., citizens. A total of 30,000 republican soldiers and 175,000 peasants die, every sixth or seventh inhabitant of the department. Thermidor, a counter-revolutionary coup: the astonished leaders are dragged from the rostrum during their next performance, and are taken to a meeting with a guillotine
Directory – five elected omnipotent directors. Council of Five Hundred. Only exclamations from the audience, in chorus, in response to the proposal to intensify terror: «Justice for All!», Stop the work of the guillotine.
…Officer Napoleon manages to pay a considerable debt to his father, Carlo Bonaparte. Referring to the disease, he avoids the dubious honor of a participant in the suppression of the uprising of the peasant Vendee. However, he succeeds in standing out. The field of major players is cleared, the countries of the monarchical coalition strive to impose the world on France by war, and every enterprising active person is now extremely in demand. Captain Napoleon shows himself at the shooting of the insurgent Toulon, is promoted to divisional generals, and becomes a brigadier general (which is ranked higher) after the use of artillery in the «golden youth», on the streets of Paris, with arms in hand seeking the restoration of the monarchy. After the Italian and Egyptian companies, the last of which is intended to create a springboard for the invasion of the Indian possessions of England (ex-French), the general finds popular popularity, even though he leaves his wounded to the massacre of the Turks. The Council of Five Hundred, when it sent an ambitious officer to foreign campaigns, it also dispersed. The Code of Napoleon (Civil Code) is adopted, combining Roman law and revolutionary conquests, which has been practiced everywhere in Europe to this day.
In 1803 Napoleon makes an unexpected proposal to the American government (President Jefferson); to purchase Louisiana, the vast territory of North America, three weeks before it officially transferred to France by Spain. The point, if it exists here at all, is that, in the event of war, England is able to easily seize these overseas lands. It is also Bonaparte who is willing to fight with Britain in Europe. One way or another, the idea of Great France in the New World is not being realized. In just $ 15 million, on May 2, 1803, the Jefferson government acquires land equal to almost a quarter of the current US area. Further, approximately for the same amount (7 cents hectare) step by step; Beads, knives, canvas for tents, fire water, the territory is redeemed from the leaders of the Indians.
In 1804, Napoleon is crowned by the Pope and as if suddenly ceases to be a revolutionary general. The first French Republic imperceptibly changes itself and becomes an Empire; which, in general, is very close to the monarchy.
Bonaparte wins at Austerlitz the troops of the third monarchical coalition and gives out the kingdoms of Europe to his relatives. The battle of Preisish-Eylau (not far from Koenigsberg) with the combined German and Russian troops of the fourth coalition horrifies the experienced military: the loss of twenty-five thousand only killed, a tie, and a temporary lull.
Portugal refuses to take part in the blockade of England. Napoleon discusses with the Spanish king the transfer of troops to her, during the negotiation process declares the monarch and his son prisoners. The attempt to expel the young children of the king to France leads to a general uprising and partisan war. The throne of Spain is taken by Napoleon’s brother Joseph.
Napoleonic troops are entering Rome, annexing papal possessions. Dismissed from power, in turn, excommunicates Bonaparte from the church (1809), which does not contribute to the popularity of the emperor among the Catholics.
Napoleon’s Russian campaign, in addition to the desire for fame, booty and new territories, is a reaction to the participation of Alexander the First in all coalitions against Republican and then Imperial France. Exodus from Moscow along the already ruined path (while an alternative to him opened after the battle of Maloyaroslavets) was marked by frequent cases of cannibalism. Of the six hundred thousand army alive (without taking into account the prisoners, many of whom remained in Russia in the honorary position of tutors), twenty-three thousand survive, who have taken refuge in the allied Poland. The emperor assembles a new army, wins a series of victories over the troops of the Sixth Coalition, which includes the former German allies. But, soldiers, officers, even ambitious marshals are tired of fighting. After the unexpected surrender of Paris to the Russian troops, Napoleon signs an act of abdication and in a moment is again called «General Bonaparte».
France returns to the royal army led by Louis the Eighteenth, the place of heroic revolutionary officers is occupied by noblemen who have come from nowhere. And, the Bourbon emblem – a red lion surrounded by eight blue shells, flaunts on official documents for very little. Against the background of general discontent, Napoleon returns from the island of Elba, where he had, among other things, an artillery battery, battalions of loyal guardsmen and eight ships for pleasure walks. «Again the emperor» collects a battle-worthy army from the royal military units sent for his capture.
After the disaster at Waterloo (you can not sleep during the general battle, and send the infantry marching to the guns too) there is still hope for the continuation of this whole story. With the remnants of the army and young recruits, a total of one hundred thousand people, Bonaparte wins a series of minor victories and arrives in Paris. The workers’ suburbs support Napoleon, the National Chamber under the leadership of Lafayette and the big bourgeoisie – no longer. The Emperor never sought to rely on the French working class or the Russian serf peasantry to consolidate the gains, at first, truly revolutionary, bearing freedom and equality. In addition, having lost 1.2 million of its soldiers, the 28 millionth France is simply exsanguinated. To Paris, all the new Allied forces are striving, their number reaches one million. With two frigates, the emperor tries to leave for America, to meet new adventures, but at sea he blocks the English squadron. This time Napoleon does not enter into battle, surrenders to the British at Bellerophon, and, according to official history, ends his days on St. Helena in 1821. When the body is reburied to the Paris Invalides’ House, many inconsistencies in the description of burial are found, underpinning the mythology of the emperor-fugitive. According to one version, the present Napoleon is mortally wounded by the sentry in 1832, in Vienna, when he incognito tries to visit his son, Napoleon Francois, alas, terminally ill.
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1, 2. Napoleon Bonaparte (1769 – 1821).
3. Josephine Beauharnais, the first love and the wife of the emperor. By modern standards – not a model (1763 – 1814).
4. Louise-Maria of Austria, daughter of Franz II, a relative of Marie Antoinette (1791 – 1847). Some historians notice that, after her marriage to her, in 1810, Napoleon squandered
