Napoleon Bonaparte Dbq Essay

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Napoleon Bonaparte was a ruthless dictator who rose and fell during the turbulent French Revolution because of his singular combination of ego, toxic masculinity, and authoritarian methods. He was first hailed as a military genius for his victories, but his fortunes changed when he lost battles while defending the very nation he had fought to rule. After attending military academies and rising through the ranks to finally hold the prestigious title of General, Bonaparte developed an unquenchable craving for power. But eventually, his stratospheric ascent and unavoidable collapse resulted from his unbridled ambition, his bloated ego, the continuation of toxic masculinity, and totalitarian leadership. Napoleon possessed one of the most notorious egos in the world. His ego, combined with his military skills, enabled him to defeat opposing armies. Napoleon once said, "It is said that I love power. Well, does anyone have any cause for complaint? Never have the prisons been so empty (crime has been so low) and the people so safe" (Document …show more content…

For instance, one such statement was, "Women are nothing but machines for producing children" (Document 10). This quote brings to light the fact that Napoleon held biased and uncompassionate views toward women. According to his ideas, females were treated as objects having the sole purpose of giving birth and taking care of their husbands' needs. Despite projecting himself as a man who respected his mother deeply, it was clear that he held no regard for other women at all. Interestingly enough, he once told Josephine, his first wife, "Women are lighter and less serious than we [men] are" (Shannon Selin). With this statement, Napoleon showcased not only his weak perception of women being frivolous human beings but also highlighted the lack of respect he had towards them in general. But Napoleon did not only oppress women; he oppressed many

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