History vs. Napoleon Bonaparte - Alex Gendler

Napoleon Bonaparte rose to prominence during the French Revolution- but did he save the revolution or destroy it? You decide.
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After the French Revolution erupted in 1789, Europe was thrown into chaos. Neighboring countries’ monarchs feared they would share the fate of Louis XVI and attacked the new Republic, while at home, extremism and mistrust between factions led to bloodshed. In the midst of all this conflict, Napoleon emerged. But did he save the revolution, or destroy it? Alex Gendler puts Napoleon on trial.
Lesson by Alex Gendler, animation by Brett Underhill.
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[@TEDEd]

If you like this video, check out some of the other lessons in our "History vs." series, which includes videos on Genghis Khan, Vladimir Lenin and more:

[@crematedpapa8521]

I always found Napoleon kinda badass. He invaded Europe. Then exiled to an island with no escape. Came back and overthrew the government with no shots fired.

[@aaron9042]

"My enemies are many, my equals are none" - Napoleon Bonaparte

[@jamesbautista4694]

Fun Fact, Napoleon is a huge reason why we have canned food today. Because he was thinking about how to help his hungry soldiers during their long campaigns.

[@IsaiahINRI]

"I saw the crown of France laying on the ground, so I picked it up with my sword" -Napoleon Bonaparte

[@jumbocatstudios7239]

Another reason why Napoleon is considered short is because he often appointed tall men for his bodyguards, to make them more intimidating. So thus, when in the midst of them, he looked shorter than he actually was.

[@bubbabluehorn]

The polish anthem literally has Napoleon in their anthem. “Bonaparte”. And it says how he helped them get their land back for a bit.

[@Gminakawa]

Here in Brazil we're a thankful for Napoleon invasions across Europe if it wasn't for that Brazil would take far more years to have its independence

[@josephineliu8766]

I'm not French and I've studied Napoleon for years due to my interest to him. I think he's a great guy!

[@abhinavtiku4501]

Whatever you think of Napoleon, the man lived a life worth more than a hundred men! A nobody from a backwater island who rose to become a genius-level general, an emperor who was sent into exile twice (because once couldn't stop him). His work ethic was obsessive, his ambition all-consuming, his goal absolutely clear. Through the will of one man, Europe was united on a scale not seen since the Roman Empire. He was the greatest actor on the stage of Europe at the beginning of the modern world. His historical legacy is rightfully contradictory and controversial. But the man lived.

[@user-jh8kf8dn1z]

Napoléon Bonaparte: not the Emperor of France, Emperor of the French.

[@SmokyProd]

Fun fact : When Napoleon escaped from Elba, all the French joined him to bring him to Paris, an army sent by the king to stop him was on his way.

[@Zakrovik]

I'm a German and I really admire Napoleon. To me he really embodies the enlightened absolutism idea.

[@Shane8]

Pretty fair, except for the quick summary of the Napoleonic wars failing to mention that England never recognized Napoleon, broke the peace of Amiens, and helped to organize a total of five coalitions against him, which was the whole point of enforcing a blockade.

[@46_800]

in France, we really like Napoleon ;D

[@DoctorWu23]

He was complex. He shattered what a nearly a millennia of tradition in europe and totally rewrote the course of history.

[@prptheawesome4911]

When Napoleon got back to France after his exile, the law enforcement was called to go after him. As soon as they were in his presence, they kneeled. The middle and upper class were uneasy about his reappearance, but the poor loved him. Even if he gave the power to himself, he fought for the people. No one can say he didn’t love France and for that reason he is Emperor of the French.

[@oscarking4891]

Napoleon was taller than the Duke of Wellington

[@ericmarseille2]

Napoleon said "My legacy will be my civil law code"...His legacy is indeed his civil law code, from which many countries derived theirs.

[@gartrux]

He didn’t save the revolution, he WAS the revolution.