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Short Stories for Teachers

Napoleon Bonaparte
By:Max Weber

The military of Napoleon Bonaparte was of considerable value not only in the history of France, but also in the world history. It was the most notable military among the analogous structures of other countries. Even nowadays it embodies fidelity and devotion, self-sacrifice and courage.

Napoleon’s army with its infantry, grenadiers and artillery was considered to be invincible. It was the greatest military force in that time and enjoyed world reputation.

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Napoleon called his army “La Grand Armee”. After being reorganized the army became the most powerful in the world. Napoleon was a great military man and he managed to create such an army that could repel the attack of united part of Europe. The most important tactics of Napoleon’s military was the concentration of its principal force on the main object; and its auxiliary detachments were destined at keeping back the enemies in other parts of the front if it was necessary. And it was a tactics that made the military of Napoleon successful and invincible.

The military of Napoleon was very numerous, organized in a very complex manner; besides it had a number of different structures and sub-units.

Recruitment to the Military of Napoleon.

The recruitment was realized on the basis of the law of general liability for military service. All men at the age of 18-40 years were on the military books. Young men of 18-25 years of age were called up according to their age class.

It should be pointed out that the military of Napoleon was multinational. The part of foreign soldiers entered French army voluntarily; others were the subjects of allied countries that had to send to France their military forces.

The structure of the military.

Napoleon divided his army into seven army corps, which formed the base of it. Later the number of corps increased. At first they were under the command of marshals, afterwards Napoleon also began to appoint the most gifted and clever generals. Each of the corps was miniature independent army with its own infantry, light cavalry, artillery and other auxiliary sub-units, which were necessary for functioning of corps. The main masses of cavalry and artillery were not the part of army corps, but they were united into detached reserve units, which Napoleon could use at his discretion, he could throw them into the battle to help any of the corps.

The military of Napoleon was subdivided into line and light infantry. The regiment was the main battle element. Line regiments were the basis of infantry units of French army. The regiment of line infantry consisted in headquarters, battalions, and rifle companies (grenadiers selected according to their experience, physical strength and stature and voltigeurs destined to actions of extended order and small firing. The regiments of light infantry were organized in the same way as line one and performed similar duties, but it was destined for more flexible maneuvers, flank cover and so on.

Cavalry in the military of Napoleon was subdivided into heavy, light and line. Heavy cavalry was intended for actions in close order and for decisive massive assaults on enemies. Line cavalry consisted in dragoons, which could fight in horse and foot orders that made them more maneuvering. Light cavalry was used by Napoleon for reconnaissance, cover of principal forces, flung guarding.

Napoleon paid great attention to artillery. Being an artillery officer, he understood all the effectiveness of right using of the artillery during the battle. Artillery subdivided into foot and horse types.

Tactics and strategy of the military of Napoleon.

Napoleon did not propose any changes in tactics or a new method of warfare. His tactics were grounded on the great military man that preceded him.

The most outstanding feature of the Napoleonic system of warfare was undoubtedly its flexibility and limitless variation. The insistence on speed and mobility was the basic features of his campaigns It was this emphasis on speed and mobility that also contributed greatly to the confusion and unsettling of his opponents.

Napoleon used three main strategic concepts. Firstly, it was the indirect approach. This maneuver consisted in the pinning of the enemy by a feint attack and then marching by a concealed rout to fall on the enemies flank. Secondly, it is a "central position." This meant engaging each element separately to achieve battlefield superiority. The third Napoleonic maneuver was the "strategic penetration." The breaking of the enemies corridor of defenses followed by a rapid march deep into enemy territory to seize a city.

In tactical organization Napoleon introduced some innovations. He pointed out the corps as the main tactical organizations. Each of these was capable of holding off greatly superior forces for several hours. It allowed an army to move in separated units. This allowed greater mobility and was deceptive to the enemy. There are another interesting tactics used by Napoleon’s military, namely: economy of force, flanking movements, rapid concentration of forces, etc.

Imperial Guard of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Speaking of the military of Napoleon we should mention his Imperial Guard. Guard’s sub-units were considered to be elite. The best people served there: experienced, disciplined, perfectly trained soldiers, and devoted greatly to their emperor. It was so numerous and well-organized that it was regarded as an independent army. Being a special privileged crop, Imperial Guard was destined for personal guard of Napoleon, and also it played role of successful reserve during battles. According to soldiers’ experience, fighting ability, level of elite Imperial guard was divided into Old, Middle and Young Guards. Old Guard was the most elite one and often was a decisive force at battlefields.

Marshal of the Napoleon’s military.

When Napoleon started ruling French republic, he created a new military rank – marshal. And a lot of worthy colonels, generals, and military leaders assembled around Napoleon. He valued greatly his marshals. Their incomes and properties increased. Napoleon selected people according to their prominent abilities, but not according to their lineage; he valued their talents and gifts, rewarded them for their merits. And they were devoted to him, initiative and hardworking. This fact contributed greatly to victories of Napoleon’s military.

Max Weber
http://www.proessay.com/






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