The small-statured Napoleon Bonaparte was born in Corsica, Italy in 1679. Only a year before his birth, France annexed Corsica, making it French territory and forever leaving an impact on Napoleon. This Frenchman gradually climbed the ranks to the top and is known by many as the greatest leader of all time. Napoleon's imperialistic reign is characterized by his rise to power and many influential and essential domestic reforms.
Napoleon's rise to the top can be traced back to when he was a mere schoolboy. He was trained in French schools and became lieutenant in the artillery regiment when he was only sixteen. When the Revolution began, Napoleon became a supporter of the Jacobin cause and made himself known during the Battle of Toulon, becoming a general of the French Republic army which sparked his military and leadership expertise. Because of this, Napoleon was promoted to general and given command of the domestic army. In 1795, the Directory was established to replace the tribunal; however, they were unpopular among the people, so the people began to revolt. Paris rioted in 1795 and the Directory was forced to rely on Napoleon and his army to remain in power. Napoleon swiftly won the battle and saved France from erupting into civil war. In the elections of 1797 and 1798, the Directory was forced to use Napoleon to overturn the elections. Napoleon was the only thing that was keeping the Directory in power, which gave him effective control and the chance to seize power. He was able to satisfy the people, and they loved him for the glory he brought them through military victories abroad.
For the French, Napoleon was most known for his domestic reforms he brought during his reign instead of his imperialistic quest for conquering land. His Concordat, which helped to consolidate his power, was an agreement of peace between him and the Catholic Church. In one of his most noteworthy reforms, Napoleon set up a uniform civil code of France called the Code of Napoleon.
