Napoleon's Influence
A page from the Napoleonic Code
Napoleon’s influence is something that has been felt by many over the last 200 years. Whether it be dictators sharing likeminded ideas, laws he created still finding use in today’s society, or concepts such as total war being replicated, Napoleon has made an impact on the world long after his death. Hitler was an admirer of Napoleon, going as far as to visit his tomb after Germany captured France in WWII. Much like Napoleon, Hitler used speed to attack enemy forces before they were fully deployed and mobilized. Coupled with the element of surprise, it was not difficult for either man to gain a tactical advantage quickly. This tactic would help the two of them conquer much of Europe in a relatively short period of time. However Hitler was unable to apply this strategy to Britain as the English Channel proved to be a nuisance, and he lacked confidence when it came to naval warfare. Napoleon had the same problem in this department, and neither individual enjoyed the idea of it. Both men shared similar views on the human life as well. Neither were hesitant to sacrifice a human life if it meant they would still be in contention for victory in a war. Towards the end of WWII, Hitler gave out orders that would eventually lead to thousands of unnecessary German deaths, and when the commanders would refuse these orders, he would have the commanders executed. Napoleon was slightly different in his disregard for life. He was more concerned about objectives being held, regardless of how heavy the casualties were, and he was none too quick to abandon his soldiers and ride back to the safety of Paris on numerous occasions.
Napoleon was also responsible for numerous reforms to the legal system, tax laws, and public education in France during the time of his rule. His Napoleonic Code would continue to be administrated long after his passing and would help contribute to the ideas and development of nationalism throughout much of Europe. Parts of Europe still practice these ideas today. Napoleon also helped lay the foundations for what would eventually become the metric system when he introduced a system of measure in 1812 that was used to measure quantities in trade, called the mesures usuelles (traditional units of measurement). Napoleon was also responsible for introducing the law to drive on the right side of the road, and this is something that is practiced today across nearly the entire world.
The final way Napoleon influenced the world was through his modern innovation of the concept of total war. During the French Revolution, the Jacobins believed that the only way to win the war was by using all of the nation’s resources to support the effort. Every man and every supply would be used. Napoleon continued this idea during the Hundred Days campaign in which he led all of France against the Seventh Coalition. A national decree called for a mobilization of 2.5 million men, and this would lead to the death of hundreds of thousands French men. Napoleon also called upon boys to fight in the wars when the number of men started to dwindle more and more. Russia also saw the supplies of the country as a necessity for the war effort and resorted to burning their supplies in Moscow when they retreated in 1812 so that Napoleon and his armies would not be able to use them. Eventually this sort of thinking would lead to the Second World War and it would be considered the pinnacle of total war in the modern world. The amount of resources that were used by both sides of the conflict and the general disregard for any sort of collateral damage made this a prime example of the entirety of Europe using total war as an idea. Napoleon was an influential figure who shaped the modern world’s laws and civil codes, inspired dictators to emulate his tactics and ideologies, and modernised the idea of total war.
Napoleon was also responsible for numerous reforms to the legal system, tax laws, and public education in France during the time of his rule. His Napoleonic Code would continue to be administrated long after his passing and would help contribute to the ideas and development of nationalism throughout much of Europe. Parts of Europe still practice these ideas today. Napoleon also helped lay the foundations for what would eventually become the metric system when he introduced a system of measure in 1812 that was used to measure quantities in trade, called the mesures usuelles (traditional units of measurement). Napoleon was also responsible for introducing the law to drive on the right side of the road, and this is something that is practiced today across nearly the entire world.
The final way Napoleon influenced the world was through his modern innovation of the concept of total war. During the French Revolution, the Jacobins believed that the only way to win the war was by using all of the nation’s resources to support the effort. Every man and every supply would be used. Napoleon continued this idea during the Hundred Days campaign in which he led all of France against the Seventh Coalition. A national decree called for a mobilization of 2.5 million men, and this would lead to the death of hundreds of thousands French men. Napoleon also called upon boys to fight in the wars when the number of men started to dwindle more and more. Russia also saw the supplies of the country as a necessity for the war effort and resorted to burning their supplies in Moscow when they retreated in 1812 so that Napoleon and his armies would not be able to use them. Eventually this sort of thinking would lead to the Second World War and it would be considered the pinnacle of total war in the modern world. The amount of resources that were used by both sides of the conflict and the general disregard for any sort of collateral damage made this a prime example of the entirety of Europe using total war as an idea. Napoleon was an influential figure who shaped the modern world’s laws and civil codes, inspired dictators to emulate his tactics and ideologies, and modernised the idea of total war.