Napoleon Buonaparte Was A Military Genius Who, At The Age Of Sixteen,

Napoleon Buonaparte was a military genius who, at the age of sixteen, gained the rank of lieutenant in the French Army. He overcame all of the criticism he received in the army became a great leader. Napoleon, perhaps, was one of the most prominent, and powerful leaders of all time. Napoleon's childhood was a very troublesome one. He was always getting into trouble. When he was a little boy, "He was always hitting people and biting them" (Komroff 15). Since Napoleon was always causing problems, he was sent to a girl school by his mother hoping that this experience would change his attitude (Komroff 15). This however, did not work, so he was sent to a Jesuit school with his eldest brother, Joseph (Komroff 15). While Napoleon was in the Jesuit school, he was an excellent student. Several years later when he was sent to military school at the age of fifteen, he was still an outstanding student and "Remembered everything he was told" (Komroff 17). At the age of fifteen, Napoleon was already "Showing great prominence as a military leader" and when he turned sixteen "He graduated with honors and was appointed the rank of lieutenant" at his military school (Komroff 20). Napoleon had a big family. There were ten people in his family and seven of them were brothers and sisters (Ludwig 7). Life was very hard for Napoleon and his family, simply because there were so many mouths to feed and not enough money (Ludwig 7). Therefore, life was very harsh for young Napoleon. He was always being "Mocked and teased because of his poverty" (Ludwig 7). Just after Napoleon graduated second lieutenant in the regiment of La Fe're, his father got really sick with cancer and was taken to the medical center Montpellier where his father was treated for "Any last hope in life" (Guerard 9). But the efforts were not enough. Carlo Buonaparte died on February 24, 1785 (Guerard 9). During this crucial time, Napoleon's family was going through various changes. His eldest brother Joseph was leaving the church for the army, and his other brother Lucien, was leaving the military to join the seminary at Aix (Guerard 9). The only person who seemed to be making any wise decisions, was his sister Eliza. Eliza had been accepted at Saint Cyr, a school which had been created for the daughters of the impoverished aristocracy (Guerard 9). At this school, Eliza would not only receive a great education, but she would also receive three thousand francs, and a trosseau (Guerard 9). The rest of Napoleon's family were the youngest, Louise, Pauline, Caroline, and Jerome. They were left under the care of his widowed mother (Guerard 9). But Napoleon would not leave his family in their present condition. He ignored the fact that his eldest brother had the right to take over the family, and he "Appointed himself head of the family" shortly after the demise of his father (Guerard 9). Napoleon's military career basically started when he was only sixteen. When he was sixteen, he "Graduated military school with the rank of lieutenant" (Komroff 20). Napoleon achieved this feat after only being in the military school for one year (Komroff 20). Napoleon gained his chance in the spotlight when the French Revolution began. On July 14, 1789 when the Bastille was stormed, Napoleon was sent to various parts of France to help calm down the riots (Komroff 20). This happened only three years after Napoleon's graduation, he was nineteen. By the time Napoleon was 26, he was "Already Commander in Chief of the Army of the Interior and was known world wide" (Komroff 25). Throughout his career and life, Napoleon encountered many women, but none compared to his first love, Josephine. Josephine Tascher de la Pagerie was "A lazy, cold-hearted, empty-headed person", but she was also very kind (Guerard 23). Her kindness was what attracted Napoleon. They were both married on March 9, 1796, only by the civil court, the did not have a religious ceremony (Guerard 23). When they got married, "Napoleon was 27 and Josephine was 33 years old", even though she lied and said she was 29 (Guerard 23). On May 18, 1804, Napoleon "Was proclaimed the emperor of the French" (Guerard 71). But when Napoleon learned that the Pope could not crown him Emperor, he was very angry because he was sure that "He ruled by the direct grace of God and the will of the people" (Guerard 76). Napoleon was very disappointed because even though "The church could consecrate, anoint,