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if only saint Elena were France
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I could be happy on this accursed rock
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I am sad board
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ill
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in 1815
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Napoleon bonaparte the former emperor of the French
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was exiled to live on the island of santalina
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in the Atlantic Ocean
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over 4000 miles away from home
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for 5 and 1/2 years
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Napoleon was a prisoner here of the British
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depressed and dying he was a martyr to just one cause
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his own
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I've won the imperial crown of false
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the iron crown of Italy
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England has now given me a greater and more glorious
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one
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for it is that worn by the savior of the world
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the crown of forms
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Napoleon once controlled an empire of over 40
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million people
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now he was utterly powerless
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history has consistently lied to us about that power
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Napoleon has even been compared to Adolf Hitler
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he's been caricatured as a monster
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history has chosen to propagate these lies
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they now need to be swept aside
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to make way for a man of astonishing achievement
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Napoleon bonaparte was the greatest lawgiver
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administrator and soldier of modern times
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he proves that not all despots are evil
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not all dictators are tyrants
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yes he could be ruthless
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even brutal on occasion
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but he was
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undoubtedly one of the greatest men of history
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for me he's been a hero since I was 10
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I swear to maintain
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the territory of the republic in its integrity
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to respect an enforce Equality before the law
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political and civil liberty
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to govern on lean accordance with the interests
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the happiness and the glory of the French people
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on the 2nd of December 1804
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at the cathedral of nachodam in Paris
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Napoleon was crowned emperor of the French
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the coronation was splendid
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Napoleon and his wife Josephine
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were accompanied by the music of 3 orchestras
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and a crown sword
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and scepter reminiscent of the 1st holy Roman emperor
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here was a Celebration of an ambitious
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supremely talented soldier
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who embodied the new
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revolutionary ideology of the nation
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the coronation of Napoleon bonaparte at nachodam
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was the triumph of the self made man
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Napoleon strode up to the altar
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seized the crown
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turned to the congregation
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raised it high and placed it upon his own head
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the symbolism could not be more blatant or more public
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it had taken years of audacity
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bravery and immense good fortune
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to get him to where he was that day
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and he wasn't going to allow anyone
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to deny him his moment
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the splendor of the coronation
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and of the new
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Napoleonic regime created a new mythology
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for France history has seen its guilt and mirrors
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as an expression of vanity
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greed and aristocracy far from it
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to visit the otelda bona in Paris
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lavishly decorated in typical imperial style
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is to taste the new
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design for living that the emperor offered the nation
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Napoleon had delivered France from the chaos
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that followed her revolution
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the lavishness of his regime
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emphasized what individual merit could acquire
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under his leadership
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and that the murderous
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egalitarian excesses of the French revolution were over
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the luxury of the empire style
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had a real political purpose
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Napoleon wanted to emphasize the
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power of France
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and that can't be done
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without a certain degree of ostentation
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our modern
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age despises opulence equating it with crudity
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but why should the power of a great new empire
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and the achievements of the individual
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not merit splendor
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I've long been fascinated by Napoleon
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and have the middles to show it
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at every available opportunity
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I hunt down objects that remind me of the man
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at auction houses and sales
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like all British school children
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I was taught to see Napoleon
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as the great bad man of history
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and as a British historian
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I was very much set against celebrating
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revolutionary imperialism
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however I've come to realize
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since I started researching Napoleon some 6 years ago
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for a biography of the man
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that the view of him as the corsican oga
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is utterly wrong
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and it was one unique quality in particular
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that won me over
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instrumental to Napoleon's success
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was his skill as a leader
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he didn't just inspire
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people to identify with his cause
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he gave meaning to people's lives
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convincing them that they were following a destiny
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that would live in history
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a destiny a common fate that united France
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the French people
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and their emperor
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what history has chosen to ignore
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is the turmoil
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that accompanied Napoleon's arrival in politics
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the French revolution of 1789
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was a moment of inspirational hope
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but also of utter chaos
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40,000 people were murdered
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after the execution of king Louis the 16th
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and his wife Mary antoinette
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and the republic that followed was crippled
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by corruption
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and war with the old monarchies of Europe
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who were terrified of being overthrown
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the situation had got so bad that by the autumn of 1795
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30 000 armed counter revolutionaries
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masked in Paris to overthrow the government
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the task of saving the republic and averting civil war
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fell upon the shoulders of an aggressive
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ambitious army officer
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who had won a formidable reputation
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in a brilliant attack
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on foreign occupying forces in the past
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it was in these streets of Paris on the 5/10/1795
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that Napoleon
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a young general in the French army
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rose to national prominence
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in an act of utter ruthlessness
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the challenge
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to save
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the revolutionary government from an attempted kudeta
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at the hands of a broad coalition
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of moderates and monarchists
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Napoleon deliberately charged his cannon with grapeshot
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hundreds of musketballs packed into bags
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which he fired at the crowds at close range
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the counter revolutionaries
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threatened to storm the seat of government
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the twiglery palace
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Napoleon
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masked his cannon to command the streets leading to it
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and he concentrated his forces
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on the opposition's headquarters
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the church here at sanrock saw the
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culmination of the insurrection
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the wounded were brought here
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and an intense firefight developed
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that lasted for over 2 hours
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there were snipers along the roof sand on array
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and Napoleon brought his cannon to within
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60 paces of this church before shelling it
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firing into crowds of civilians at Point Blank range
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bombarding a church harboring the wounded
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Napoleon's merciless commitment
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to the cause of revolution was clear
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he was outnumbered 5 to one
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but nonetheless he won the day with only 30 killed
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the reputation of the young general was made
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but at the price of the deaths of hundreds
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of his fellow countrymen
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rule by the Paris mob
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had been a curse of the revolution
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and Napoleon was adamant that it should not prevail
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there was also a brutality to the man
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as he would later tell his brother
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if you treat the mub with kindness
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these creatures fancy themselves invulnerable
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if you take a few
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they get tired of the game
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and become a submissive and humble as they ought to be
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researching my biography of Napoleon
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it became clear that his aggressive belief in
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and defense of the revolution
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dated right back to his youth
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Napoleon was born in 1769
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on the Mediterranean island of corsica
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a year before
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it had been bought by France off
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the Italian republic of Genoa
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the wars of independence in corsica against France
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had been ferocious
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and gave the young Napoleon an intense awareness
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of the meaning of revolution
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as Napoleon once wrote
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from the heart of a nation that was ruling
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over our tyrants
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flash the electric spark
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that nation enlightened generous and powerful
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remembered its rights and its strength
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it freed itself
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and wished that we should share its freedom
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oh man man
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how despicable in slavery
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how great went fired with the love of freedom
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what's more as Napoleon grew older
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the importance
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that the revolution attached
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to the rights and dignity of the individual
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loomed ever larger in his life
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packed off
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to boarding school in France when he was just 9
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he had been ridiculed by fellow pupils
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for his corsican accent
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and relative poverty
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at 15 after his father died
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Napoleon was obliged to look after his mother
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and 7 siblings
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underscoring the importance of Equality of opportunity
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intellectually
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he loved ancient history
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and withdrew constantly to read and reread
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the glorious exploits of its great leaders
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taking them as models of ambition and success
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to my mind almost turning them into father figures
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when Napoleon went to school at Brienne he was taught
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that the people to follow the people to emulate
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the role models of his life
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ought to be the great ancients
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Julius Caesar
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um Alexander the great people like that
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and of course everyone was taught that
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and most people didn't take it too hard
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he on the other hand did
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he lived his entire life
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seeing himself as
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somebody who was following in the steps
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of Julius Caesar and Alexander the great
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now in a lot of people
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that would be premaffacy case for
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being considered stark staring mad
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with him on the other hand
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of course he succeeded in that
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we do today think of him as one of the great
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7 captains of history
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along with Julius and along with Alexander
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so the driving force for him was this immense ambition
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but allied to a brilliant talent
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and so you have in Napoleon
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talent and ability together with enormous ambition
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in radiant sunlight
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Josephine made her appearance
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in a cloud of pale pink tool
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sparkling with silver stars and extremely located gown
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after he had saved the revolution from civil war
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in 1795 the government wanted to reward Napoleon
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so they made him
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a commander of the army of the interior
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he also found himself a wife
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the iligons of her bearing the charm of her smile
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and the sweetness of her expression
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made such an impression
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that I heard many people remark that day
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that she outshon her entire artourage
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the relationship between Napoleon and Josephine
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was very much born out of revolution
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daughter to a
279
00:15:19,700 --> 00:15:22,466
white plantation owning family in martinique
280
00:15:22,466 --> 00:15:25,733
Josephine was the divorced and then widowed wife
281
00:15:25,733 --> 00:15:28,266
of an aristocratic general in the French army
282
00:15:28,266 --> 00:15:29,799
who'd been guillotined
283
00:15:30,500 --> 00:15:33,500
caricatured for her sexy lubriciousness
284
00:15:33,500 --> 00:15:36,666
and being a slave to fashion and luxury
285
00:15:36,800 --> 00:15:39,566
Josephine had been imprisoned during the revolution
286
00:15:39,566 --> 00:15:41,866
and lived in fear of execution
287
00:15:42,300 --> 00:15:44,733
every reason to become pleasure loving
288
00:15:44,733 --> 00:15:45,899
high spending
289
00:15:45,900 --> 00:15:48,333
and greedy for all that life had to offer
290
00:15:49,166 --> 00:15:51,899
linked to an increasingly powerful political
291
00:15:51,900 --> 00:15:53,166
faction in Paris
292
00:15:53,200 --> 00:15:56,300
she was fixed up with Napoleon by a former lover
293
00:15:59,966 --> 00:16:02,499
history would have us believe that the love affair
294
00:16:02,500 --> 00:16:04,133
between Napoleon and Josephine
295
00:16:04,266 --> 00:16:06,899
was up there with the great love affairs of all time
296
00:16:07,466 --> 00:16:10,366
eloise and abelard Romeo and Juliet
297
00:16:10,533 --> 00:16:12,966
Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton
298
00:16:13,700 --> 00:16:17,333
nonsense it was a partnership of convenience
299
00:16:18,466 --> 00:16:20,566
she offered him access to
300
00:16:20,566 --> 00:16:22,799
the best political salmons of the day
301
00:16:23,100 --> 00:16:24,966
one of her lovers had been prime minister
302
00:16:25,300 --> 00:16:29,566
he offered her an escape from a life of bad debts
303
00:16:29,666 --> 00:16:32,666
bad teeth and fading allure
304
00:16:33,100 --> 00:16:36,166
each had their eyes on a larger prize
305
00:16:40,133 --> 00:16:42,666
the young general's initial sentiment towards
306
00:16:42,666 --> 00:16:44,333
Josephine is revealing
307
00:16:44,366 --> 00:16:47,566
for it betrays a lack of confidence in the man
308
00:16:47,666 --> 00:16:48,933
a sensitivity
309
00:16:48,933 --> 00:16:51,933
that would prove a weakness in later life
310
00:16:52,500 --> 00:16:53,966
this is attested to
311
00:16:53,966 --> 00:16:56,933
in an astonishing series of letters that he
312
00:16:57,066 --> 00:17:00,533
the young fast track army officer wrote to her
313
00:17:00,533 --> 00:17:03,733
the sexually promiscuous older woman
314
00:17:05,566 --> 00:17:08,066
I'm going to bed my little Josephine
315
00:17:08,366 --> 00:17:10,666
my heart full of your adorable image
316
00:17:11,200 --> 00:17:13,966
you know that I never forget the little visits
317
00:17:14,100 --> 00:17:16,200
you know the little black forest
318
00:17:16,733 --> 00:17:19,133
I kiss you there 1000 times
319
00:17:19,300 --> 00:17:21,733
and wait with impatience for the moment
320
00:17:21,800 --> 00:17:23,533
I can be there again
321
00:17:25,566 --> 00:17:28,199
Napoleon is often accused of being a monster
322
00:17:28,200 --> 00:17:29,566
of overconfidence
323
00:17:29,600 --> 00:17:31,366
of being a meglomaniac
324
00:17:31,566 --> 00:17:34,333
but when one reads his letters to Josephine
325
00:17:34,766 --> 00:17:36,799
one is struck by the exact opposite
326
00:17:37,133 --> 00:17:39,999
in fact there's no confidence there at all
327
00:17:40,066 --> 00:17:42,966
there are the letters of an over the top adolescent
328
00:17:43,100 --> 00:17:44,900
writing 3x1 day
329
00:17:44,966 --> 00:17:47,366
completely nerve racked about whether or not
330
00:17:47,500 --> 00:17:48,700
Josephine loved him
331
00:17:48,766 --> 00:17:51,566
and whether she was being faithful to him she wasn't
332
00:17:51,800 --> 00:17:55,000
and whether or not he was attractive enough to her
333
00:17:58,766 --> 00:18:01,899
the thought of dying without the certainty of your love
334
00:18:02,100 --> 00:18:03,900
is like the torments of hell
335
00:18:04,133 --> 00:18:07,333
the very image of utter annihilation
336
00:18:08,000 --> 00:18:11,400
I experience all the feelings of a suffocating man
337
00:18:15,900 --> 00:18:17,700
this is the exact opposite
338
00:18:17,700 --> 00:18:19,700
of the kind of Napoleon that we've been
339
00:18:19,900 --> 00:18:21,333
told about constantly
340
00:18:21,466 --> 00:18:24,766
he wasn't particularly calm with women
341
00:18:25,000 --> 00:18:28,733
he had proposed to a girl desiree clary
342
00:18:28,766 --> 00:18:30,866
some years before and had been turned down
343
00:18:31,066 --> 00:18:31,566
other than that
344
00:18:31,566 --> 00:18:32,499
he doesn't seem to have had
345
00:18:32,500 --> 00:18:33,933
any kind of relationship with anyone
346
00:18:33,933 --> 00:18:34,866
since his mother
347
00:18:34,966 --> 00:18:37,066
and so Josephine this older woman
348
00:18:37,200 --> 00:18:40,200
who he was entirely ensorcelled by
349
00:18:40,800 --> 00:18:43,133
was the great love of his life
350
00:18:43,166 --> 00:18:47,766
but somebody who he was deeply deeply unconfident with
351
00:18:49,400 --> 00:18:53,100
to live in Josephine is to live in the Elysian fields
352
00:18:53,700 --> 00:18:55,133
kisses on your mouth
353
00:18:55,266 --> 00:18:59,333
your eyelids your shoulder on you everywhere
354
00:19:00,200 --> 00:19:01,000
everywhere
355
00:19:10,600 --> 00:19:14,100
on Wednesday the 9/3/1796
356
00:19:14,266 --> 00:19:15,766
Napoleon and Josephine
357
00:19:15,800 --> 00:19:18,600
who had only known one another for 6 months
358
00:19:18,700 --> 00:19:20,933
got married here in this very room
359
00:19:21,066 --> 00:19:24,399
in the town hall of the 2nd hour on dismorne of Paris
360
00:19:25,200 --> 00:19:27,866
rather than a romantic moment
361
00:19:27,866 --> 00:19:30,099
it was rather a taudry affair
362
00:19:30,300 --> 00:19:33,000
both Napoleon and Josephine lied about their
363
00:19:33,066 --> 00:19:34,766
ages on the wedding certificate
364
00:19:34,966 --> 00:19:37,466
and Napoleon turned up 3 hours late
365
00:19:37,566 --> 00:19:38,899
and when he did turn up
366
00:19:39,066 --> 00:19:39,699
he
367
00:19:39,700 --> 00:19:42,966
smacked a sleeping mare on the back and said
368
00:19:43,300 --> 00:19:44,733
get us married quickly
369
00:19:45,200 --> 00:19:46,866
rather more romantic though
370
00:19:46,900 --> 00:19:49,533
was the wedding present he gave Josephine
371
00:19:49,566 --> 00:19:53,133
which was a gold medallion inscribed with the words
372
00:19:53,333 --> 00:19:54,466
to destiny
373
00:20:00,100 --> 00:20:02,166
the reason finnapoleon's haste
374
00:20:02,166 --> 00:20:03,699
was the threat to France
375
00:20:03,700 --> 00:20:05,966
from the forces of counter revolution
376
00:20:06,700 --> 00:20:09,366
in the week of his marriage to Josephine
377
00:20:09,366 --> 00:20:11,999
he had been promoted to commander in chief
378
00:20:12,000 --> 00:20:13,966
of the French army of Italy
379
00:20:13,966 --> 00:20:16,566
and they were now mobilizing to fight
380
00:20:17,600 --> 00:20:20,300
the absolutist monarchies of Europe
381
00:20:20,300 --> 00:20:24,700
now posed a mortal danger to France and her revolution
382
00:20:25,333 --> 00:20:28,333
Russia Austria Prussia
383
00:20:28,400 --> 00:20:30,800
these sovereign nations appeared
384
00:20:30,800 --> 00:20:32,600
the universal rights of man
385
00:20:32,666 --> 00:20:35,766
and the end to feudal privileges that were enshrined
386
00:20:35,766 --> 00:20:37,466
in the French constitution
387
00:20:38,133 --> 00:20:40,366
for 3 years Austria
388
00:20:40,366 --> 00:20:41,099
Prussia
389
00:20:41,100 --> 00:20:45,366
and Britain had fought and failed to destroy France
390
00:20:45,733 --> 00:20:50,499
by 1796 the war in Europe had narrowed to a fight
391
00:20:50,500 --> 00:20:52,333
between France and Austria
392
00:20:52,466 --> 00:20:55,333
over territory in Germany and Italy
393
00:20:55,800 --> 00:20:58,133
and the counter revolutionary forces
394
00:20:58,200 --> 00:20:59,700
were in the ascendant
395
00:21:05,300 --> 00:21:07,400
the campaign in Italy was not just
396
00:21:07,466 --> 00:21:09,366
yet another territorial battle
397
00:21:09,366 --> 00:21:10,933
between France and Austria
398
00:21:11,133 --> 00:21:14,766
it was part of an ongoing clash of civilizations
399
00:21:14,900 --> 00:21:18,666
between the meritocratic republicanism of France
400
00:21:18,733 --> 00:21:22,099
and the onsea regime of Leopold the 2nd
401
00:21:22,266 --> 00:21:23,566
the holy Roman emperor
402
00:21:23,666 --> 00:21:26,966
and the brother of the guillotines queen mariantenet
403
00:21:26,966 --> 00:21:29,466
it was therefore part of an ongoing
404
00:21:29,600 --> 00:21:30,933
ideological struggle
405
00:21:31,100 --> 00:21:32,733
between 2 competing
406
00:21:32,733 --> 00:21:35,266
and fundamentally different visions
407
00:21:35,266 --> 00:21:37,266
of how to order society
408
00:21:57,300 --> 00:22:00,500
it was these idyllic foothills of the Alps
409
00:22:00,500 --> 00:22:03,066
and lakes and plains of northern Italy
410
00:22:03,266 --> 00:22:06,133
that Napoleon now sought to rest from Austria
411
00:22:08,766 --> 00:22:10,466
he had at his disposal
412
00:22:10,533 --> 00:22:13,399
and asset unique to revolutionary France
413
00:22:13,666 --> 00:22:16,333
a new breed of military commander
414
00:22:16,400 --> 00:22:19,066
who I like to think of is the enlightenment
415
00:22:19,066 --> 00:22:20,199
on horseback
416
00:22:21,900 --> 00:22:25,766
promoted to their positions on merit rather than birth
417
00:22:25,766 --> 00:22:26,666
this new
418
00:22:26,800 --> 00:22:30,566
youthful officer class granted the young general
419
00:22:30,566 --> 00:22:31,666
speed of manoeuvre
420
00:22:31,700 --> 00:22:33,866
and a powerful esprita corp
421
00:22:33,866 --> 00:22:37,066
born of a shared ideological heritage
422
00:22:38,866 --> 00:22:42,566
for Napoleon here was an invaluable resource
423
00:22:42,700 --> 00:22:45,766
for as he once said in waging war
424
00:22:46,566 --> 00:22:49,999
the moral is to the physical as 3 is to one
425
00:22:52,900 --> 00:22:55,266
from the outset of the campaign in Italy
426
00:22:55,300 --> 00:22:58,566
Napoleon's leadership was simply superb
427
00:22:59,100 --> 00:23:01,466
in a series of celebrated battles
428
00:23:01,500 --> 00:23:05,733
montonote milasimo daygo and montovi
429
00:23:05,900 --> 00:23:07,333
the pied montes
430
00:23:07,333 --> 00:23:10,399
Austria's allies were quickly knocked out of the war
431
00:23:10,466 --> 00:23:12,666
and oppolian seized the initiative
432
00:23:14,133 --> 00:23:16,199
people don't need to buy how to
433
00:23:16,200 --> 00:23:18,000
books to learn leadership
434
00:23:18,100 --> 00:23:18,766
they just
435
00:23:18,766 --> 00:23:21,766
need to look at the way Napoleon carried himself
436
00:23:21,933 --> 00:23:22,799
before his men
437
00:23:25,666 --> 00:23:26,999
crossing bridges
438
00:23:27,000 --> 00:23:29,800
and seizing bridgeheads in the presence of the enemy
439
00:23:29,800 --> 00:23:32,333
was to be a constant factor
440
00:23:32,500 --> 00:23:34,166
in Napoleon's warcraft
441
00:23:34,266 --> 00:23:35,733
and it was at loddy
442
00:23:35,900 --> 00:23:37,133
early in the campaign
443
00:23:37,266 --> 00:23:41,299
that these skills were to be put to their very 1st test
444
00:23:48,166 --> 00:23:49,999
Napoleon's ultimate objective
445
00:23:50,066 --> 00:23:54,666
for this part of the Italian campaign was always Milan
446
00:23:54,666 --> 00:23:56,199
the capital of lombardy
447
00:23:56,466 --> 00:23:59,199
and on the 10th of may 1796
448
00:23:59,500 --> 00:24:04,333
he got to within a tantalizing 22 miles of Milan
449
00:24:04,333 --> 00:24:05,533
which is just over there
450
00:24:05,666 --> 00:24:07,299
to the northwest
451
00:24:08,066 --> 00:24:12,099
but between Napoleon and Milan was the river adder here
452
00:24:12,266 --> 00:24:18,733
about 200 yards wide quite shallow but fast flowing
453
00:24:20,000 --> 00:24:22,966
now on that side of the bank were the Austrians
454
00:24:22,966 --> 00:24:25,333
10,000 of them from the rear guard
455
00:24:25,466 --> 00:24:27,733
including 14 cannon
456
00:24:27,866 --> 00:24:32,266
and on this side of the bank here were the French
457
00:24:32,733 --> 00:24:35,099
as soon as Napoleon got here to Lodi
458
00:24:35,166 --> 00:24:38,099
he placed 2 cannon at the end of the bridge
459
00:24:38,100 --> 00:24:40,500
to stop the Austrians from destroying it
460
00:24:40,500 --> 00:24:43,100
he also placed snipers in the town
461
00:24:43,100 --> 00:24:46,133
to stop the Austrians from creating a barricade
462
00:24:46,300 --> 00:24:49,933
but most importantly he sent his cavalry both south
463
00:24:50,000 --> 00:24:51,900
down there and north
464
00:24:52,000 --> 00:24:55,800
up here to try to find fords to cross the river
465
00:24:55,933 --> 00:24:58,733
and envelop the Austrians from behind
466
00:24:58,733 --> 00:25:01,899
it was vital that the French took this bridge
467
00:25:11,866 --> 00:25:15,133
the operation that followed was remarkable
468
00:25:15,466 --> 00:25:18,999
the bridge at Lodi was 200 yards long
469
00:25:19,266 --> 00:25:21,099
and just 12 feet wide
470
00:25:22,733 --> 00:25:24,333
at 6 o'clock in the evening
471
00:25:24,333 --> 00:25:28,099
Napoleon gave an inspirational address to his men
472
00:25:28,300 --> 00:25:29,900
over there in the town square
473
00:25:30,000 --> 00:25:31,800
before sending them across the bridge
474
00:25:34,166 --> 00:25:36,099
in a 1st assault
475
00:25:36,100 --> 00:25:38,933
they managed to get about halfway
476
00:25:38,933 --> 00:25:42,799
before a devastating Austrian canonade of grapeshot
477
00:25:42,800 --> 00:25:44,466
stop them in their tracks
478
00:25:46,333 --> 00:25:47,666
it was carnage
479
00:25:54,266 --> 00:25:57,766
then there was a 2nd assault led by no fewer than 6
480
00:25:57,766 --> 00:26:00,533
senior officers including 3 future marshals
481
00:26:00,533 --> 00:26:01,466
they got further
482
00:26:01,566 --> 00:26:04,766
they managed to get 3/4 of the way across
483
00:26:05,200 --> 00:26:07,166
and they realized that if men
484
00:26:07,166 --> 00:26:09,399
jumped into the river it was shallow enough
485
00:26:09,400 --> 00:26:12,133
for them to be able to give covering fire to
486
00:26:12,133 --> 00:26:14,866
a 3rd assault and that
487
00:26:14,933 --> 00:26:16,666
led by elite grenadiers
488
00:26:16,666 --> 00:26:18,466
punched its way across the
489
00:26:18,500 --> 00:26:21,000
river and captured the Austrian guns
490
00:26:26,500 --> 00:26:30,300
it was then at the key psychological moment
491
00:26:30,400 --> 00:26:31,933
that the cavalry arrived
492
00:26:36,366 --> 00:26:39,566
Napoleon had sent them 30 miles up to the north here
493
00:26:39,600 --> 00:26:41,566
and they crossed over at a Ford
494
00:26:42,066 --> 00:26:43,899
and came right the way behind
495
00:26:43,933 --> 00:26:45,566
the Austrian lines
496
00:26:45,566 --> 00:26:47,466
forcing the Austrians to withdraw
497
00:26:47,600 --> 00:26:48,966
under the cover of night
498
00:26:56,533 --> 00:27:00,366
it was Napoleon's 7th victory in a row
499
00:27:04,900 --> 00:27:08,166
Lodi was a turning point for Napoleon
500
00:27:08,300 --> 00:27:09,933
for the revolutionary army
501
00:27:09,933 --> 00:27:12,499
he became an irresistible leader
502
00:27:12,533 --> 00:27:15,566
they now called him with affection the little corporal
503
00:27:16,566 --> 00:27:17,566
for Napoleon
504
00:27:17,566 --> 00:27:21,166
it was a pivotal moment of self affirmation
505
00:27:21,266 --> 00:27:25,666
revealing with total clarity his potential greatness
506
00:27:25,933 --> 00:27:27,166
as he wrote later
507
00:27:28,133 --> 00:27:30,299
it was only on the evening of ludi
508
00:27:30,333 --> 00:27:32,533
that I believed myself a superior man
509
00:27:33,100 --> 00:27:36,666
after ludi I no longer saw myself as a mere general
510
00:27:36,900 --> 00:27:40,366
but as a man called upon to influence the destiny of a
511
00:27:40,366 --> 00:27:41,166
people
512
00:27:41,700 --> 00:27:43,266
the idea occurred to me
513
00:27:43,400 --> 00:27:44,866
that I could become a decisive
514
00:27:44,866 --> 00:27:46,566
actor on the political scene
515
00:27:52,400 --> 00:27:54,200
when he started winning battles
516
00:27:54,200 --> 00:27:56,200
from the battle of montenati onwards
517
00:27:56,200 --> 00:27:57,800
and especially the battle of Lodi
518
00:27:57,900 --> 00:27:58,766
he actually
519
00:27:58,766 --> 00:28:02,066
felt that he had the capability within himself
520
00:28:02,333 --> 00:28:04,699
to achieve these incredible goals
521
00:28:04,700 --> 00:28:06,966
and so this is not something that is just
522
00:28:06,966 --> 00:28:08,533
a childhood fantasy
523
00:28:08,533 --> 00:28:10,866
by 1796 and 1797
524
00:28:10,866 --> 00:28:13,999
it is something that is actually genuinely achievable
525
00:28:35,100 --> 00:28:36,533
on the 15th of may
526
00:28:36,533 --> 00:28:39,299
the confidence of the French army turned to
527
00:28:39,300 --> 00:28:40,566
utter triumph
528
00:28:40,666 --> 00:28:42,666
as it entered Milan
529
00:28:43,200 --> 00:28:46,733
this was a glorious moment for revolutionary France
530
00:28:46,866 --> 00:28:50,266
since the oligarchs of Austria had controlled the city
531
00:28:50,266 --> 00:28:52,533
for more than 80 years
532
00:28:54,966 --> 00:28:57,699
in his address to troops from his headquarters
533
00:28:57,800 --> 00:29:01,266
Napoleon alluded to some of the great victories
534
00:29:01,266 --> 00:29:02,899
of ancient history
535
00:29:10,733 --> 00:29:12,399
soldiers you have
536
00:29:12,400 --> 00:29:13,533
rushed like a torrent
537
00:29:13,533 --> 00:29:15,499
from the heights of the apennines
538
00:29:16,166 --> 00:29:17,399
Milan is yours
539
00:29:17,400 --> 00:29:18,766
and the republican flag
540
00:29:18,766 --> 00:29:20,866
floats over the hall of lombardy
541
00:29:21,066 --> 00:29:22,599
but let the people have no fear
542
00:29:22,866 --> 00:29:24,799
we are friends to all peoples
543
00:29:24,933 --> 00:29:27,766
and particularly to the descendants of Brutus
544
00:29:27,766 --> 00:29:28,799
of Scipio
545
00:29:28,900 --> 00:29:32,166
and the great men whom we have taken for models
546
00:29:32,900 --> 00:29:34,966
to awaken the Roman people
547
00:29:35,000 --> 00:29:37,666
bombarded by centuries of slavery
548
00:29:39,533 --> 00:29:41,933
such will be the fruit of your victories
549
00:29:49,100 --> 00:29:49,900
however
550
00:29:49,966 --> 00:29:54,799
behind the elevated myth rested a vicious reality
551
00:29:55,300 --> 00:29:58,100
the French government back home was nearly broke
552
00:29:58,333 --> 00:30:00,899
it ordered Napoleon to pillage Italy
553
00:30:00,966 --> 00:30:02,166
a sanctioned part
554
00:30:02,166 --> 00:30:04,399
of French revolutionary army behavior
555
00:30:04,766 --> 00:30:05,199
50
556
00:30:05,200 --> 00:30:10,000
million franks in cash was exacted from local citizens
557
00:30:10,300 --> 00:30:13,933
the cities of Milan and padua alone
558
00:30:14,000 --> 00:30:16,733
were squeezed for 22 million
559
00:30:17,100 --> 00:30:18,200
works of art
560
00:30:18,300 --> 00:30:21,700
were seized from local rulers and churches
561
00:30:21,700 --> 00:30:24,066
and shipped back to Paris by carriage
562
00:30:24,133 --> 00:30:26,799
including masterpieces by michelangelo
563
00:30:26,800 --> 00:30:28,866
Raphael and correggio
564
00:30:29,466 --> 00:30:30,799
the scale of looting
565
00:30:30,800 --> 00:30:33,566
has been condemned by critics of Napoleon
566
00:30:33,866 --> 00:30:36,366
the rape and pillage of a culture
567
00:30:37,300 --> 00:30:39,266
they need to get over themselves
568
00:30:40,333 --> 00:30:42,966
it's easy to get on one's moral high horse
569
00:30:43,166 --> 00:30:45,999
about Napoleon's looting India's
570
00:30:46,000 --> 00:30:48,900
he did take tishams and michelangelos and
571
00:30:48,966 --> 00:30:52,399
rembrandts and all sorts of fabulous
572
00:30:53,200 --> 00:30:56,600
sculpture back to the louvre from
573
00:30:56,900 --> 00:30:59,200
Italian collections and churches
574
00:30:59,500 --> 00:31:01,066
but show me a war in history
575
00:31:01,066 --> 00:31:02,499
where there hasn't been looting
576
00:31:02,766 --> 00:31:04,599
a British museum
577
00:31:04,600 --> 00:31:06,266
would hardly be the place it is
578
00:31:06,266 --> 00:31:08,899
if it didn't have looted treasures
579
00:31:09,266 --> 00:31:11,999
so there's a sense I think of hypocrisy
580
00:31:17,366 --> 00:31:20,399
while Napoleon in public was the invincible
581
00:31:20,400 --> 00:31:21,866
ruthless patriot
582
00:31:21,933 --> 00:31:25,733
in private he was a vulnerable needy lover
583
00:31:26,733 --> 00:31:29,199
Josephine his wife of just 2 months
584
00:31:29,200 --> 00:31:31,566
was refusing to join him in Italy
585
00:31:32,000 --> 00:31:35,900
since their marriage and for no fewer than 123
586
00:31:36,400 --> 00:31:37,933
successive days
587
00:31:38,066 --> 00:31:41,066
Napoleon wrote to Josephine at least once a day
588
00:31:41,066 --> 00:31:42,566
begging her to join him
589
00:31:42,900 --> 00:31:45,000
but she'd seldom even bother to reply
590
00:31:45,000 --> 00:31:45,800
not least
591
00:31:45,866 --> 00:31:48,133
because she was having an affair with another man
592
00:31:49,733 --> 00:31:51,933
Napoleon's letters betray a
593
00:31:51,933 --> 00:31:53,133
puppy dog love
594
00:31:54,333 --> 00:31:57,966
Josephine no letter from you since the 28th
595
00:31:58,800 --> 00:32:00,200
has she forgotten me
596
00:32:00,400 --> 00:32:03,266
or doesn't she know that there is no greater torment
597
00:32:03,533 --> 00:32:06,266
then not to get a letter from me or dolciamore
598
00:32:06,966 --> 00:32:09,533
here they have given a great ball for me
599
00:32:09,966 --> 00:32:13,866
with 500 or 600 pretty and elegant creatures
600
00:32:14,000 --> 00:32:15,366
trying to please me
601
00:32:15,966 --> 00:32:17,999
but not one was like you
602
00:32:18,200 --> 00:32:21,800
not one had that sweet harmonious figure
603
00:32:21,900 --> 00:32:24,166
that is so well graven on my heart
604
00:32:24,500 --> 00:32:27,933
I saw only you fought only of you
605
00:32:34,166 --> 00:32:35,733
unrequited in love
606
00:32:35,933 --> 00:32:38,099
Napoleon found what solace he could
607
00:32:38,100 --> 00:32:41,933
in the brilliant unfolding of his military campaign
608
00:32:43,400 --> 00:32:45,366
after the French had seized Milan
609
00:32:45,400 --> 00:32:47,466
the Austrian army retreated
610
00:32:47,733 --> 00:32:51,199
leaving the whole of northern Italy in French hands
611
00:32:51,333 --> 00:32:55,699
save their garrison in the wold city of Mantua
612
00:33:11,800 --> 00:33:13,500
in a series of battles
613
00:33:13,533 --> 00:33:14,533
the French army
614
00:33:14,533 --> 00:33:17,299
repelled continued Austrian attempts to
615
00:33:17,300 --> 00:33:18,766
seize back territory
616
00:33:18,900 --> 00:33:21,266
but the enemy hung on to Mantua
617
00:33:21,500 --> 00:33:24,533
even reinforcing their military presence there
618
00:33:26,266 --> 00:33:28,666
part of Napoleon's leadership technique
619
00:33:28,666 --> 00:33:30,466
was to convince his followers
620
00:33:30,466 --> 00:33:33,599
that there was strength in shared destiny
621
00:33:33,766 --> 00:33:36,366
and all of the resilience that that implied
622
00:33:36,366 --> 00:33:39,199
was now called upon at Mantua
623
00:33:39,866 --> 00:33:42,499
Napoleon would have to take the city by siege
624
00:33:42,533 --> 00:33:46,666
an immense military challenge but with a great reward
625
00:33:46,800 --> 00:33:47,666
as he said
626
00:33:47,900 --> 00:33:51,766
if fortune smiles upon us Mantua will be taken
627
00:33:51,866 --> 00:33:53,766
and with it Italy
628
00:33:55,866 --> 00:33:58,733
in all his 60 military engagements
629
00:33:58,866 --> 00:34:01,899
Napoleon only fought 3 sieges
630
00:34:01,900 --> 00:34:04,300
he much preferred campaigns of maneuver
631
00:34:05,200 --> 00:34:07,366
but when he came here to Mantua
632
00:34:07,500 --> 00:34:11,333
he found a city surrounded by water on 3 sides
633
00:34:11,333 --> 00:34:13,799
and by formidable defenses
634
00:34:13,800 --> 00:34:17,100
on the 4th it could only be taken by siege
635
00:34:17,666 --> 00:34:19,166
now to make matters worse
636
00:34:19,166 --> 00:34:21,733
a large body of Austrians were coming from the north
637
00:34:21,733 --> 00:34:23,199
10s of thousands of them
638
00:34:23,200 --> 00:34:24,600
to relieve the city
639
00:34:25,000 --> 00:34:29,200
Napoleon was going to have to fight both a siege and
640
00:34:29,333 --> 00:34:30,799
a campaign of maneuver
641
00:34:31,133 --> 00:34:32,966
it wasn't going to be easy
642
00:34:38,166 --> 00:34:39,699
Napoleon's response
643
00:34:39,700 --> 00:34:44,200
sealed his reputation as an expert military strategist
644
00:34:44,700 --> 00:34:47,500
from June 1796 more than 9
645
00:34:47,766 --> 00:34:50,566
000 Austrians and Mantua's 25
646
00:34:50,933 --> 00:34:53,666
000 inhabitants laid in for a siege
647
00:34:53,933 --> 00:34:55,699
outside the walls of the city
648
00:34:55,700 --> 00:34:57,866
the French fought Austrian armies
649
00:34:57,866 --> 00:34:59,766
and resisted an astonishing
650
00:34:59,766 --> 00:35:02,399
4 attempts to relieve the city
651
00:35:02,700 --> 00:35:07,300
revolutionary forces bombarded Mantua with canon night
652
00:35:07,500 --> 00:35:10,066
after night in a bulletin
653
00:35:10,200 --> 00:35:12,700
Napoleon sought to boy his troops
654
00:35:12,700 --> 00:35:14,000
reminding them that
655
00:35:14,000 --> 00:35:15,900
all that the revolution had secured
656
00:35:15,900 --> 00:35:18,066
for them was now at stake
657
00:35:30,933 --> 00:35:35,766
soldiers manturise without bread meat and forage
658
00:35:36,400 --> 00:35:38,300
I will say only 2 words
659
00:35:38,600 --> 00:35:40,466
there are enough for frenchmen
660
00:35:41,100 --> 00:35:43,266
Italy Mantua
661
00:35:43,666 --> 00:35:47,299
the peace of Europe and the happiness of your families
662
00:35:47,466 --> 00:35:49,566
will be the outcome of your courage
663
00:35:56,100 --> 00:36:00,000
the Austrians were subjected to a grueling 8 month
664
00:36:00,066 --> 00:36:01,199
siege of this city
665
00:36:01,733 --> 00:36:04,699
they were reduced to eating horses and dogs
666
00:36:04,733 --> 00:36:06,599
and even rats to survive
667
00:36:07,533 --> 00:36:11,699
over 8000 people died of malnutrition and disease
668
00:36:12,466 --> 00:36:14,599
the city finally surrendered to Napoleon
669
00:36:14,600 --> 00:36:18,000
on the 7/2/1797
670
00:36:18,600 --> 00:36:19,966
after almost a year
671
00:36:20,166 --> 00:36:23,733
total victory in the Italian campaign was in sight
672
00:36:28,866 --> 00:36:32,966
revolutionary France now truly became La Grande nasion
673
00:36:33,266 --> 00:36:35,333
and a president had been set for her
674
00:36:35,333 --> 00:36:36,299
revolutionary
675
00:36:36,300 --> 00:36:40,100
ideas to be pollinated across Europe by her army
676
00:36:41,066 --> 00:36:43,666
within a year Austria had surrendered
677
00:36:43,866 --> 00:36:47,366
Napoleon signed a peace treaty with pope pass the 6th
678
00:36:47,366 --> 00:36:49,899
major cities and states were captured
679
00:36:50,266 --> 00:36:54,066
Napoleon organized a new pro French state in Italy
680
00:36:54,100 --> 00:36:56,200
which was proclaimed to be at the heart
681
00:36:56,200 --> 00:36:57,966
of a new Italian nation
682
00:36:57,966 --> 00:37:00,666
the 1st since ancient Rome
683
00:37:02,366 --> 00:37:03,466
to cap it all
684
00:37:03,533 --> 00:37:06,466
Josephine had finally joined him in Italy
685
00:37:06,533 --> 00:37:08,299
and she was much faded
686
00:37:14,066 --> 00:37:16,766
flush with his success in Italy
687
00:37:16,800 --> 00:37:20,500
Napoleon turns his military headquarters here in Milan
688
00:37:20,733 --> 00:37:22,533
into a political court
689
00:37:22,900 --> 00:37:25,400
the victories of the army of Italy
690
00:37:25,400 --> 00:37:28,766
felt like the triumph of a new generation
691
00:37:29,800 --> 00:37:32,300
there was grandeur hope and joy
692
00:37:32,300 --> 00:37:35,333
wrote the 22 year old general marmore
693
00:37:35,400 --> 00:37:37,333
we were all very young then
694
00:37:37,533 --> 00:37:41,066
we had unlimited confidence in our destiny
695
00:37:45,600 --> 00:37:47,333
on his return to Paris
696
00:37:47,333 --> 00:37:50,599
Napoleon was lauded as the hero of a new
697
00:37:50,666 --> 00:37:51,766
age of revolution
698
00:37:52,100 --> 00:37:54,366
the street in which he lived was renamed
699
00:37:54,400 --> 00:37:55,700
rue de LA victoire
700
00:37:55,733 --> 00:37:58,366
and dozens of popular songs and poems
701
00:37:58,366 --> 00:37:59,699
were written in his honor
702
00:38:00,366 --> 00:38:01,199
in time
703
00:38:01,333 --> 00:38:04,666
Napoleon would set himself and his wife up comfortably
704
00:38:04,733 --> 00:38:08,199
buying for Josephine the lovely chateau de malmezon
705
00:38:08,333 --> 00:38:10,733
a country house just outside Paris set in
706
00:38:10,900 --> 00:38:12,766
300 acres of Parkland
707
00:38:12,900 --> 00:38:16,566
Napoleon would spend many hours working in its library
708
00:38:18,800 --> 00:38:23,666
in 1797 instead of capitalizing on his popularity
709
00:38:23,666 --> 00:38:25,999
and pursuing political ambitions
710
00:38:26,100 --> 00:38:28,666
Napoleon in what I believe to be
711
00:38:28,700 --> 00:38:30,000
a critical moment
712
00:38:30,000 --> 00:38:32,333
in the building of a personal mythology
713
00:38:32,466 --> 00:38:35,566
did the most mature and remarkable thing
714
00:38:35,900 --> 00:38:37,366
he kept quiet
715
00:38:39,533 --> 00:38:41,966
he played little part in domestic politics
716
00:38:41,966 --> 00:38:45,733
stood above the melee of post revolutionary factions
717
00:38:45,733 --> 00:38:49,366
and joined the ranks of France's intellectual elite
718
00:38:49,566 --> 00:38:50,866
winning his election
719
00:38:50,866 --> 00:38:53,899
to the 1st class of the astitude of France
720
00:38:54,100 --> 00:38:58,000
the preeminent academic institution of the nation
721
00:39:01,600 --> 00:39:03,000
after his victories in Italy
722
00:39:03,066 --> 00:39:06,199
Napoleon wanted to become a director of the government
723
00:39:06,366 --> 00:39:09,466
but at 28 he was still 12 years too young
724
00:39:09,866 --> 00:39:12,299
and anyhow he realized that people want more
725
00:39:12,300 --> 00:39:14,500
in a leader than just a soldier
726
00:39:14,566 --> 00:39:17,899
they want sophistication intellect culture
727
00:39:18,333 --> 00:39:20,799
so he went about creating a political
728
00:39:20,900 --> 00:39:22,533
hinterland for himself
729
00:39:22,666 --> 00:39:23,666
it was genuine
730
00:39:23,966 --> 00:39:25,933
but it was also great PR
731
00:39:31,133 --> 00:39:34,399
an opportunity then emerged that enabled Napoleon
732
00:39:34,400 --> 00:39:37,400
to associate himself with romantic legend
733
00:39:37,533 --> 00:39:40,133
worthy of the giants of ancient history
734
00:39:40,133 --> 00:39:41,799
whom he so admired
735
00:39:44,166 --> 00:39:47,466
since the hundred years war in the 14th century
736
00:39:47,533 --> 00:39:49,766
enmity between Britain and France
737
00:39:49,800 --> 00:39:53,300
had been a key feature of world politics
738
00:39:53,766 --> 00:39:55,399
in the Napoleonic era
739
00:39:55,566 --> 00:39:59,399
rivalry between the 2 nations has been likened to that
740
00:39:59,400 --> 00:40:00,700
between a whale
741
00:40:00,700 --> 00:40:04,000
and a wolf with her superiority at C
742
00:40:04,266 --> 00:40:06,299
Britain was the most prosperous
743
00:40:06,333 --> 00:40:09,199
powerful economic nation in the world
744
00:40:09,566 --> 00:40:10,999
with her revolution
745
00:40:11,100 --> 00:40:14,066
France the most progressive in terms of isology
746
00:40:14,800 --> 00:40:17,500
amidst the sovereign nations of Europe
747
00:40:17,566 --> 00:40:19,599
Britain was one of the most fervent
748
00:40:19,666 --> 00:40:22,699
in wishing to rid the world of the French revolution
749
00:40:25,666 --> 00:40:26,899
over 20 years
750
00:40:26,933 --> 00:40:29,333
Britain would finance enemies of France
751
00:40:29,366 --> 00:40:33,399
to the tune of more than 60 million pounds
752
00:40:34,200 --> 00:40:35,800
Napoleon knew that Britain
753
00:40:35,866 --> 00:40:37,899
under her sovereign King George the 3rd
754
00:40:37,966 --> 00:40:41,199
wanted to end the French revolution come what may
755
00:40:41,600 --> 00:40:43,466
Napoleon said that France must
756
00:40:43,933 --> 00:40:46,066
destroy the Anglican monarchy
757
00:40:46,100 --> 00:40:48,466
or expect itself to be destroyed
758
00:40:48,500 --> 00:40:51,000
by the corruption of these intriguing
759
00:40:51,000 --> 00:40:53,133
and enterprising islanders
760
00:40:57,800 --> 00:41:00,700
Britain's trade with eastern Mediterranean was a
761
00:41:00,700 --> 00:41:02,166
key to her strength
762
00:41:02,366 --> 00:41:05,499
French control of Egypt would threaten that
763
00:41:06,400 --> 00:41:09,266
as Napoleon told the French government in 1797
764
00:41:10,266 --> 00:41:12,299
to destroy England thoroughly
765
00:41:12,333 --> 00:41:15,699
the time is coming when we must seize Egypt
766
00:41:19,300 --> 00:41:20,533
in may 1798
767
00:41:21,066 --> 00:41:25,766
he set sail for Egypt in command of an Armada of 400
768
00:41:25,766 --> 00:41:28,699
vessels and some 35 000 men
769
00:41:32,933 --> 00:41:35,799
this was to be no ordinary invasion
770
00:41:36,133 --> 00:41:37,799
for Napoleon invited
771
00:41:38,300 --> 00:41:39,100
167
772
00:41:39,366 --> 00:41:41,266
intellectuals to join him
773
00:41:41,500 --> 00:41:45,066
scientists mathematicians astronomers naturalists
774
00:41:45,066 --> 00:41:45,766
chemists
775
00:41:45,766 --> 00:41:47,533
architects and writers
776
00:41:47,533 --> 00:41:50,966
it cost him nothing to take these savon with him
777
00:41:51,000 --> 00:41:52,933
what's more they could help
778
00:41:52,933 --> 00:41:56,533
characterize the operation as a voyage of discovery
779
00:41:56,800 --> 00:41:59,566
devoted to the acquisition of knowledge
780
00:41:59,566 --> 00:42:01,733
of ancient civilizations
781
00:42:04,400 --> 00:42:08,300
here was the enlightenment impulse of Napoleon at work
782
00:42:08,766 --> 00:42:10,533
but the expedition would
783
00:42:10,533 --> 00:42:13,499
also expose the cold blooded cynicism
784
00:42:13,533 --> 00:42:15,499
that he was prepared to employ
785
00:42:15,500 --> 00:42:17,266
in the service of France
786
00:42:22,200 --> 00:42:24,500
militarily there were triumphs
787
00:42:24,500 --> 00:42:26,400
such as the battle of the pyramids
788
00:42:26,400 --> 00:42:27,800
and the capture of chira
789
00:42:27,800 --> 00:42:29,566
but then also disasters
790
00:42:29,566 --> 00:42:32,133
such as the naval defeat by the British
791
00:42:32,133 --> 00:42:33,599
at the battle of the Nile
792
00:42:34,266 --> 00:42:35,799
to make matters worse
793
00:42:35,800 --> 00:42:38,600
to secure French gains made in Egypt
794
00:42:38,766 --> 00:42:41,699
Napoleon was obliged to take on the Turks
795
00:42:41,900 --> 00:42:45,200
invade the holy land and cross the signy eye
796
00:42:45,600 --> 00:42:47,700
conditions were atrocious
797
00:42:48,066 --> 00:42:52,666
with problems of food water heat and hostile tribesman
798
00:42:53,100 --> 00:42:55,866
as Napoleon wrote in January 1799
799
00:42:56,900 --> 00:42:59,700
we have crossed 70 leagues of desert
800
00:43:00,000 --> 00:43:02,000
which is exceedingly fatiguing
801
00:43:02,766 --> 00:43:05,666
we had brackish water and often non at all
802
00:43:06,133 --> 00:43:09,399
we ate dogs donkeys and camels
803
00:43:17,966 --> 00:43:19,699
it was in the holy land
804
00:43:19,733 --> 00:43:22,199
that an event took place that has since been
805
00:43:22,200 --> 00:43:25,966
ruthlessly exploited by historians as evidence
806
00:43:26,000 --> 00:43:28,966
of Napoleon's capacity for cruelty
807
00:43:33,133 --> 00:43:35,766
the governor of that part of the Turkish empire
808
00:43:35,766 --> 00:43:37,533
was arkhmed al jazar
809
00:43:37,566 --> 00:43:39,966
infamous for beheading his enemies
810
00:43:39,966 --> 00:43:41,799
unknown as the butcher
811
00:43:43,400 --> 00:43:48,166
on the 7/3/1799 on the surrender of the city of jaffa
812
00:43:48,266 --> 00:43:51,199
Napoleon ordered the bayonetting to death
813
00:43:51,266 --> 00:43:53,899
of prisoners on the beach outside the city
814
00:43:54,366 --> 00:43:55,499
amongst the dead
815
00:43:55,500 --> 00:43:57,666
were soldiers from the town of el arish
816
00:43:57,666 --> 00:43:59,999
who had promised not to fight the French
817
00:44:00,000 --> 00:44:01,933
but then reneged on their deal
818
00:44:05,500 --> 00:44:08,666
the exact number of prisoners murdered by the French
819
00:44:08,666 --> 00:44:11,966
is disputed but might have been up to 4
820
00:44:12,766 --> 00:44:13,566
000
821
00:44:16,500 --> 00:44:21,200
the massacre on the beach of jaffa in 1799
822
00:44:21,466 --> 00:44:25,666
is easily the biggest blot on Napoleon's career
823
00:44:25,966 --> 00:44:28,099
today it would be considered a war crime
824
00:44:28,300 --> 00:44:31,666
it wasn't though in the late 18th century
825
00:44:31,733 --> 00:44:34,266
those Turkish soldiers at L arish
826
00:44:34,266 --> 00:44:36,999
had promised not to fight against the French again
827
00:44:37,166 --> 00:44:40,099
and when they were caught only a couple of weeks later
828
00:44:40,133 --> 00:44:42,599
they had forfeited their lives
829
00:44:42,600 --> 00:44:45,066
so it was not any um
830
00:44:45,666 --> 00:44:48,899
legalistic sense that he was breaking a
831
00:44:49,400 --> 00:44:52,566
rule of law but morally of course it was indefensible
832
00:44:52,966 --> 00:44:55,099
he did it because he was up against
833
00:44:55,166 --> 00:44:56,599
one of the most vicious
834
00:44:56,700 --> 00:44:59,333
warriors in the Middle East of the day jazar
835
00:44:59,533 --> 00:45:01,999
and he needed to prove to the holy land
836
00:45:02,066 --> 00:45:03,999
that he could be just as tough
837
00:45:04,000 --> 00:45:05,100
just as brutal
838
00:45:05,100 --> 00:45:06,466
just as ruthless
839
00:45:06,666 --> 00:45:09,466
it's not his finest hour
840
00:45:09,566 --> 00:45:13,499
but in terms of the warfare of the period it is in fact
841
00:45:13,500 --> 00:45:14,300
understandable
842
00:45:23,400 --> 00:45:25,000
it was in Egypt that
843
00:45:25,000 --> 00:45:28,300
Napoleon's reputation as a conqueror of the east
844
00:45:28,333 --> 00:45:31,666
and a towering figure of myth was made
845
00:45:36,700 --> 00:45:38,933
what is important is that France
846
00:45:39,000 --> 00:45:41,766
needed that myth like never before
847
00:45:41,966 --> 00:45:43,933
and the idea of Napoleon
848
00:45:43,966 --> 00:45:46,066
as valiant hero of east
849
00:45:46,066 --> 00:45:49,166
as well as the supreme defender of the revolution
850
00:45:49,400 --> 00:45:51,666
now took powerful hold
851
00:46:01,700 --> 00:46:03,533
while Napoleon was in Egypt
852
00:46:03,733 --> 00:46:06,666
France had disintegrated into a failing
853
00:46:06,666 --> 00:46:08,366
almost feral state
854
00:46:08,566 --> 00:46:12,533
corrupt demoralized with rampant inflation
855
00:46:12,533 --> 00:46:15,599
mounting debts and no effective leadership
856
00:46:17,066 --> 00:46:18,599
after learning of the victories of a
857
00:46:18,600 --> 00:46:20,333
resurgent Austrian army
858
00:46:20,466 --> 00:46:24,133
now allied to Russia a new counter revolutionary foe
859
00:46:24,366 --> 00:46:26,966
Napoleon rushed back home from Egypt
860
00:46:30,700 --> 00:46:32,766
and when people discovered that he had returned
861
00:46:32,766 --> 00:46:35,266
there were massive celebrations
862
00:46:35,666 --> 00:46:39,266
people were dancing in the open spaces and the air rang
863
00:46:39,266 --> 00:46:41,533
with cries of haraf a bonaparte
864
00:46:41,533 --> 00:46:43,266
he will save the country
865
00:46:47,000 --> 00:46:50,566
since his earliest days suppressing the mob in Paris
866
00:46:50,666 --> 00:46:54,166
Napoleon had long thought a change of government was a
867
00:46:54,166 --> 00:46:55,899
vital prerequisite
868
00:46:55,966 --> 00:46:57,799
for regenerating France
869
00:47:00,100 --> 00:47:03,266
powerful factions in French politics were now
870
00:47:03,266 --> 00:47:05,199
lobbying for a change of government
871
00:47:05,266 --> 00:47:09,066
and a credible conspiracy formed to mount akudeta
872
00:47:09,500 --> 00:47:12,400
the plotters needed a general to lead it
873
00:47:12,466 --> 00:47:14,899
one preferred candidate had died in battle
874
00:47:15,100 --> 00:47:16,900
others had turned the task down
875
00:47:17,066 --> 00:47:19,866
the conspirators then called upon Napoleon
876
00:47:19,966 --> 00:47:21,299
and he was up for it
877
00:47:23,066 --> 00:47:25,299
as he told his friend general marmal
878
00:47:25,466 --> 00:47:26,999
when the house is crumbling
879
00:47:27,000 --> 00:47:29,466
is it time to busy oneself in the garden
880
00:47:29,866 --> 00:47:32,566
a change here is indispensable
881
00:47:41,966 --> 00:47:43,733
on the 18th day of brumeir
882
00:47:43,733 --> 00:47:45,333
in the revolutionary calendar
883
00:47:45,533 --> 00:47:48,066
Napoleon rose at 5 a m
884
00:47:48,066 --> 00:47:49,499
to save the nation
885
00:47:53,866 --> 00:47:55,566
he addressed the French parliament
886
00:47:55,700 --> 00:47:58,666
told them that he had uncovered a conspiracy
887
00:47:58,666 --> 00:47:59,799
and that they would be well
888
00:47:59,800 --> 00:48:02,666
served to conduct their business in San clu
889
00:48:02,733 --> 00:48:05,533
a palace 6 miles outside the city
890
00:48:06,700 --> 00:48:07,866
and they agreed
891
00:48:12,333 --> 00:48:14,099
the scene was now set
892
00:48:14,100 --> 00:48:16,966
for the epic transformation of Napoleon
893
00:48:16,966 --> 00:48:18,466
service to the revolution
894
00:48:18,600 --> 00:48:20,666
a moment that to my mind
895
00:48:20,666 --> 00:48:23,666
is a landmark in the history of Europe
896
00:48:25,300 --> 00:48:30,166
the following day sanklu was surrounded by 3000 troops
897
00:48:30,200 --> 00:48:32,800
some of them but crucially not all
898
00:48:33,333 --> 00:48:34,899
under Napoleon's command
899
00:48:36,400 --> 00:48:37,800
on the 10th of November
900
00:48:37,800 --> 00:48:38,933
1799
901
00:48:39,333 --> 00:48:42,933
Napoleon bonaparte came here to the palace of San clue
902
00:48:42,966 --> 00:48:45,099
to affect a kudeta
903
00:48:45,500 --> 00:48:48,566
his message to the 2 houses of the French parliament
904
00:48:48,566 --> 00:48:50,799
was that he wanted to save the nation
905
00:48:51,000 --> 00:48:54,266
so he 1st met the upper house the council of elders
906
00:48:54,300 --> 00:48:56,900
down there in the palace
907
00:48:57,400 --> 00:48:58,200
he told them
908
00:48:58,366 --> 00:49:03,266
that he wanted to save France from a British plot
909
00:49:03,600 --> 00:49:05,733
and they listen to him with respect
910
00:49:07,666 --> 00:49:09,399
citizen representatives
911
00:49:09,666 --> 00:49:12,999
you find yourself in no ordinary circumstances
912
00:49:13,200 --> 00:49:15,100
you are on the volcano
913
00:49:15,533 --> 00:49:17,566
I am no intriguer you know me
914
00:49:17,866 --> 00:49:19,466
I believe I have given
915
00:49:19,466 --> 00:49:22,266
enough proofs of my devotion to my country
916
00:49:23,333 --> 00:49:25,799
he then came up to give the same message
917
00:49:25,933 --> 00:49:27,966
to the lower house which met
918
00:49:28,366 --> 00:49:30,299
here in an orangery that's where
919
00:49:31,333 --> 00:49:33,466
that line of trees is
920
00:49:33,766 --> 00:49:37,299
and there he met with a completely different reception
921
00:49:45,100 --> 00:49:48,133
they shout it at him outlaw Caesar
922
00:49:48,400 --> 00:49:49,966
tyrant Cromwell
923
00:49:52,100 --> 00:49:53,500
they rough housed him
924
00:49:53,533 --> 00:49:57,566
and his bodyguards have their uniforms ripped
925
00:49:57,666 --> 00:50:01,333
and he lost his cool he lost his composure
926
00:50:03,266 --> 00:50:05,399
should any erator in foreign bay
927
00:50:05,400 --> 00:50:08,866
dare pronounce against your general the word outlaw
928
00:50:09,533 --> 00:50:12,599
let the thunder of war crush him on the instant
929
00:50:13,500 --> 00:50:15,733
remember that fortune and the god of war
930
00:50:15,733 --> 00:50:17,166
March beside me
931
00:50:21,933 --> 00:50:26,133
he actually had to leave the whole of the chamber
932
00:50:26,466 --> 00:50:29,699
and it wasn't until his younger brother Lucia came out
933
00:50:29,700 --> 00:50:31,600
to try to prove to the troops
934
00:50:31,600 --> 00:50:33,266
that he was trustworthy
935
00:50:33,333 --> 00:50:36,533
he did this by taking out his sword and holding it
936
00:50:36,533 --> 00:50:38,366
to Napoleon's breast and said
937
00:50:38,366 --> 00:50:41,866
if Napoleon if my brother turns into a dictator
938
00:50:41,900 --> 00:50:45,566
I will actually stab him in the heart
939
00:50:45,766 --> 00:50:48,966
and then they sent in the troops to the chamber
940
00:50:48,966 --> 00:50:50,099
and cleared it
941
00:50:54,500 --> 00:50:57,533
if Paris had risen that night
942
00:50:58,266 --> 00:51:01,133
the bonaparte brothers would have been guillotined
943
00:51:01,333 --> 00:51:03,499
as it was it didn't
944
00:51:03,533 --> 00:51:04,866
it stayed quiet
945
00:51:05,300 --> 00:51:07,800
the coup was completely successful
946
00:51:18,666 --> 00:51:21,199
a new age now dawned for France
947
00:51:21,333 --> 00:51:23,666
with Napoleon named 1st consul
948
00:51:24,166 --> 00:51:27,166
notwithstanding the soothing words of his brother
949
00:51:27,266 --> 00:51:31,133
Napoleon began to create a benign dictatorship
950
00:51:31,200 --> 00:51:34,066
that dragged France into the 19th century
951
00:51:34,066 --> 00:51:37,099
and was easily the very best part of his rule
952
00:51:40,400 --> 00:51:42,900
the backbone of France and her revolution
953
00:51:42,900 --> 00:51:44,966
had been the richer peasantry
954
00:51:45,266 --> 00:51:48,533
businessman employers and strivers
955
00:51:48,533 --> 00:51:50,566
these were Napoleon's people
956
00:51:50,733 --> 00:51:52,999
they wanted their interests protected
957
00:51:53,100 --> 00:51:55,300
especially those assets that revolution
958
00:51:55,300 --> 00:51:56,966
had enabled them to acquire
959
00:51:57,100 --> 00:51:59,466
assets that once belonged to the monarch
960
00:51:59,466 --> 00:52:01,699
the church and aristocrats
961
00:52:02,166 --> 00:52:05,366
France needed a narrative of success
962
00:52:05,466 --> 00:52:07,899
a revolution finalized
963
00:52:08,366 --> 00:52:12,566
her new 30 year old leader vowed to realize it
964
00:52:12,700 --> 00:52:14,700
and protect the new nation
965
00:52:18,866 --> 00:52:21,366
people of false you want peace
966
00:52:21,700 --> 00:52:22,200
if
967
00:52:22,200 --> 00:52:25,666
any power still insists on attempting the fate of arms
968
00:52:25,733 --> 00:52:27,899
the 1st consul has promised peace
969
00:52:28,366 --> 00:52:29,499
he will conquer it
970
00:52:29,500 --> 00:52:32,000
at the head of those warriors he has more than once
971
00:52:32,000 --> 00:52:33,133
led to victory
972
00:52:33,333 --> 00:52:36,066
and he swears to fight for nothing
973
00:52:36,100 --> 00:52:37,800
but the happiness of false
974
00:52:37,800 --> 00:52:39,400
and the repulse of the world
975
00:52:44,866 --> 00:52:47,899
a form of conservative republican government
976
00:52:47,900 --> 00:52:51,466
was now established that history has chosen ever since
977
00:52:51,533 --> 00:52:54,266
to slander as crypto fascist
978
00:52:54,266 --> 00:52:56,133
it was nothing of the sort
979
00:52:57,500 --> 00:53:00,100
yes Napoleon could tell the freedom of the press
980
00:53:00,100 --> 00:53:02,800
and he replaced over 3000 elected judges
981
00:53:02,800 --> 00:53:04,800
prosecutors and court presidents
982
00:53:04,800 --> 00:53:06,366
with his own appointees
983
00:53:06,366 --> 00:53:08,699
but Napoleon did not turn France
984
00:53:08,866 --> 00:53:10,699
into a police state like hitlers
985
00:53:10,700 --> 00:53:13,366
and he extended the rights of certain communities
986
00:53:13,366 --> 00:53:14,866
such as the Jews
987
00:53:15,900 --> 00:53:18,700
authoritarian rule secured order
988
00:53:18,700 --> 00:53:21,866
and wholesale reform of the public life of France
989
00:53:21,866 --> 00:53:23,199
of her education
990
00:53:23,333 --> 00:53:25,099
finance and government
991
00:53:25,300 --> 00:53:28,766
it institutionalized many of the rights and privileges
992
00:53:28,766 --> 00:53:30,933
that had been so bitterly fought for
993
00:53:31,000 --> 00:53:33,366
and one during the revolution
994
00:53:34,000 --> 00:53:36,100
his reformed legal system
995
00:53:36,266 --> 00:53:37,866
known as the code Napoleon
996
00:53:37,866 --> 00:53:39,699
consolidated those rights
997
00:53:39,700 --> 00:53:42,900
and remains the basis of much of European law
998
00:53:42,933 --> 00:53:43,933
to this day
999
00:53:48,366 --> 00:53:51,133
it was at the conseidata that Napoleon chaired
1000
00:53:51,133 --> 00:53:53,333
the meetings that ended the revolution
1001
00:53:53,500 --> 00:53:55,666
and set France on a new footing
1002
00:53:56,666 --> 00:53:59,933
the code Napoleon was his greatest achievement
1003
00:54:00,066 --> 00:54:01,799
it was certainly his longest lasting
1004
00:54:01,800 --> 00:54:03,966
it endures even to this day
1005
00:54:04,200 --> 00:54:06,933
it brought together all the laws of France
1006
00:54:07,133 --> 00:54:10,366
buying and selling divorce and inheritance
1007
00:54:10,866 --> 00:54:14,566
even the role of fathers in French family life
1008
00:54:15,066 --> 00:54:16,366
I want to throw
1009
00:54:16,366 --> 00:54:19,666
some blocks of granite onto the soil of France
1010
00:54:19,666 --> 00:54:20,733
Napoleon said
1011
00:54:20,766 --> 00:54:24,066
in order to give direction to the public spirit
1012
00:54:25,866 --> 00:54:27,499
those blocks of granite
1013
00:54:27,566 --> 00:54:30,566
expressed a new self confidence in France
1014
00:54:30,700 --> 00:54:33,733
and Napoleon the charismatic military leader
1015
00:54:33,866 --> 00:54:35,533
refugee from corsica
1016
00:54:35,600 --> 00:54:39,533
and student of authority figures such as Julia Caesar
1017
00:54:39,700 --> 00:54:42,466
now chose to render it in stone
1018
00:54:42,733 --> 00:54:44,533
as he would say in later life
1019
00:54:44,600 --> 00:54:46,366
men are only great
1020
00:54:46,500 --> 00:54:49,133
through the monuments they leave behind
1021
00:54:50,366 --> 00:54:53,799
he made plans for a triumphal Roman column
1022
00:54:53,800 --> 00:54:57,133
to be designed and built in the plasvondom
1023
00:54:57,566 --> 00:54:58,999
architects were commissioned to
1024
00:54:59,000 --> 00:55:00,733
reconstruct and redecorate
1025
00:55:00,733 --> 00:55:02,166
the tuilery palace
1026
00:55:02,300 --> 00:55:04,166
scene of the 1st consul's
1027
00:55:04,200 --> 00:55:06,200
bloody defense of the revolution
1028
00:55:06,533 --> 00:55:09,333
grand new engineering works were started
1029
00:55:09,333 --> 00:55:11,966
including new keys for the river seine
1030
00:55:12,100 --> 00:55:13,966
and sewers for citizens
1031
00:55:14,166 --> 00:55:16,699
these works were nothing to do with the vanity of
1032
00:55:16,700 --> 00:55:20,600
Napoleon they were inspired by the vision of Athens
1033
00:55:20,600 --> 00:55:23,466
Rome Babylon and Memphis
1034
00:55:23,666 --> 00:55:27,466
and they symbolize the self belief of the new nation
1035
00:55:30,566 --> 00:55:32,366
Napoleon wanted to
1036
00:55:32,733 --> 00:55:34,199
take away the
1037
00:55:34,400 --> 00:55:36,766
constraints on the French people
1038
00:55:36,766 --> 00:55:38,866
and to allow them therefore to
1039
00:55:38,966 --> 00:55:40,733
make me advances for themselves
1040
00:55:40,733 --> 00:55:44,166
he believed in the French people and the great thing
1041
00:55:44,266 --> 00:55:46,133
about Napoleon's advances
1042
00:55:46,166 --> 00:55:50,099
be is in education or finance or administration
1043
00:55:50,200 --> 00:55:53,266
was to try to liberate the French people to be
1044
00:55:53,333 --> 00:55:54,199
even greater
1045
00:56:00,600 --> 00:56:02,566
with Napoleon as 1st consul
1046
00:56:02,666 --> 00:56:06,066
the political environment of France now stabilized
1047
00:56:06,133 --> 00:56:09,133
and the fortunes of the economy began to improve
1048
00:56:11,466 --> 00:56:13,066
military victory in Italy
1049
00:56:13,266 --> 00:56:17,899
a charismatic campaign in Egypt a successful qudetta
1050
00:56:18,133 --> 00:56:20,699
and ruthless loyalty to lapa tree
1051
00:56:20,700 --> 00:56:22,533
had consigned government
1052
00:56:22,600 --> 00:56:26,900
by a ragtag group of corrupt political hacks to history
1053
00:56:29,466 --> 00:56:31,499
a new modern state
1054
00:56:31,500 --> 00:56:33,500
was now being built in France that
1055
00:56:33,500 --> 00:56:36,266
represented the triumph of the strivers
1056
00:56:36,366 --> 00:56:38,299
led by the greatest striver of them all
1057
00:56:40,733 --> 00:56:41,533
however
1058
00:56:41,700 --> 00:56:43,333
beneath all the propaganda
1059
00:56:43,366 --> 00:56:46,166
and bravado of Napoleon remained a
1060
00:56:46,166 --> 00:56:49,399
personality who was prone to fragility
1061
00:56:51,733 --> 00:56:53,999
he would be obliged constantly
1062
00:56:54,000 --> 00:56:57,066
to defend the value and purpose of the revolution
1063
00:56:57,166 --> 00:56:59,133
against a hostile world
1064
00:56:59,266 --> 00:57:02,333
and assert the civilian nature of his rule
1065
00:57:02,900 --> 00:57:05,066
as he was once quoted as saying
1066
00:57:06,133 --> 00:57:09,299
we cannot argue on the analogy of the dark ages
1067
00:57:09,666 --> 00:57:11,533
we are 30 millions of men
1068
00:57:11,600 --> 00:57:14,800
held together by enlightenment property and commerce
1069
00:57:15,366 --> 00:57:18,999
3 or 400,000 soldiers are nothing in such a mass
1070
00:57:19,333 --> 00:57:20,966
the soldiers themselves
1071
00:57:20,966 --> 00:57:22,966
are the children of the citizens
1072
00:57:23,133 --> 00:57:25,799
the army is the nation
1073
00:57:36,800 --> 00:57:41,500
a military coup had transformed Napoleon from a
1074
00:57:41,600 --> 00:57:43,300
provincial outsider
1075
00:57:43,500 --> 00:57:46,400
to the ultimate political insider
1076
00:57:46,400 --> 00:57:48,533
role of 1st console
1077
00:57:49,400 --> 00:57:51,500
Napoleon was a dictator
1078
00:57:51,900 --> 00:57:53,100
who delivered peace
1079
00:57:53,100 --> 00:57:56,533
prosperity and reform to a failed state
1080
00:57:57,000 --> 00:57:58,466
he'd ended the revolution
1081
00:57:58,500 --> 00:58:01,566
and he believed passionately in LA gloire de LA France
1082
00:58:02,500 --> 00:58:04,333
any attack on that glory
1083
00:58:04,333 --> 00:58:06,999
would meet with a devastating response
1084
00:58:08,300 --> 00:58:11,800
as the great powers of Europe were shortly to discover
75419
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