The Mixed Legacy of Napoleon Bonaparte
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
“Death is nothing, but to live defeated and inglorious is to die daily.” – Napoleon Bonaparte
Born on the island of Corsica on August 15, 1769, Napoleon Bonaparte remains one of the most famous and controversial figures in world history. Rising through the ranks of the French army, he won a series of military victories using battlefield strategies that were so brilliant that they are still being studied in war colleges today.
Napoleon translated his military successes into political power by becoming First Consul of the Republic in 1799 and eventually, Emperor of the French in 1804. During his 10-year reign, Napoleon established a system of public education, abolished the last vestiges of feudalism, emancipated Jews and other religious minorities, ended the Spanish Inquisition, enacted the principle of equal justice under the law for the emerging middle class, and centralized state power at the expense of corrupt church authorities.
Among his many shortcomings was laying waste to much of Europe, abolishing the free press, ending directly elected representative government, exiling and imprisoning critics of his regime, reinstating slavery in France's colonies (except for Haiti), banning the entry of blacks and mulattos into France, reducing the civil rights of women and children, reintroducing a hereditary monarchy and nobility, and violently repressing popular uprisings against his rule.
A mixed legacy for sure!
Napoleon seemingly had one goal in life and that was to make an impact on the world in which he lived. If only Napoleon had used his vast intellect and immeasurable talents to glorify God instead of himself, who knows what he could have accomplished?
My friend, there are several lessons to be learned from the life of Napoleon, which ended in exile on the Island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic on May 5, 1821. Dream big and make the most of your God-given abilities… BUT use them to build God’s kingdom and not your own.
“Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world; if it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is not of this realm.’” John 18:36 (BSB)
“Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10 (BSB)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
