Napoleon

Last October, the Frankreich Zentrum of Freiburg's university held an academic conference open to the public about Napoleon Bonaparte, a hero, demon, and visionary. Interpretative projections in the 19th century. Only very few people were present and listening.

What made Napoleon initially so popular among the people? Above all, it was the bourgeoisie, for he fulfilled their longing for stability in ending the excesses of the French Revolution. Elected as Consul for 10 years, Napoleon declared on December 13, 1799: Citizens! La Revolution is solidly anchored in its initial principles; it is over.

When the German poet Johann Gottfried Seume on his way back from Syracuse to Leipzig, saw Napoleon in Paris on July 14, 1801, the National Holiday, he was disappointed. The Revolution was not only over, but in Seume's opinion, Napoleon had betrayed the Republic by reintroducing the Catholic Church in France. Seume wrote in his diary: Since Napoleon has resolutely interred liberty, I feel that only now I have become a republican. Bonaparte could have been a savior of mankind, but he contented himself being the first reborn son of the Catholic Church.

However, the French people around him admiringly said: Il fait diablement des choses, ce petit caporal d'Italie; cela va loin! (The small Italian corporal is doing things devilishly well; that will lead far!). After the defeat of the Prussian army in the Battles of Jena and Auerstedt, his compatriots called him: Le grand mécanicien de la victoire (The great mechanic of victories).

Sketch for the painting of Napoleon's coronation 

Napoleon promoted his fame by crowing himself as emperor in shunting the pope.

Showing Napoleon crowing himself was possibly too much.
The ultimate painting shows Napoleon crowning his wife Josephine instead.

He showed to the world that he is the greatest but he knew: Mon pouvoir tient à ma gloire, et ma gloire aux victoires que j’ai remportées (My power depends on my glory, and my glory depends on my victories that I have gained).

All in vain.
European nobility did not dig le petit caporal.

Napoleon had disavowed the pope and the Papal State. He ordered the Pontifex to pull a saint out of his tiara, who should be venerated on August 15, the emperor's birthday. The pope came up with the patron of warriors, St. Neopolis, a Roman soldier and martyr. The similarity in name with Napoleon was greatly emphasized, and the French memorial day from 1806 to 1813 was no longer July 14 but August 15.

St. Neopolis or St. Napoleon?

In countries under his rule, many intellectuals and members of the bourgeoisie adored Napoleon too. They regarded him as the savior of the peasants from serfdom, Europe's unifier, and the new Charlemagne. And Napoleon knew: A newborn rule must dazzle and amaze; otherwise, it would topple.

When the emperor entered Erfurt on September 27, 1808, to open Princes' Day, people filled the streets. Foreign Minister Talleyrand observed: Everybody wants to see the man and see him closely who distributes crowns and thrones and holds in his almighty hands the fate of Europe, delight and hope, distress and misery.

Writing the Code Napoleon ... for Europe.

Napoleon was also a realist when he said to the Austrian ambassador: Your rulers born to be on a throne could be beaten twenty times, and they will still return to their residences. My rule will not survive the day I cease to be strong and will no longer be feared.

How true, although following Napoleon's defeat, the admiration for him did not stop.

Napoleon's apotheose

Napoleon awakes to eternal glory.

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