Napoleon Part 4: The Emperor Strikes Back
Real Dictators
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Napoleon's Invasion of the English Channel
In May 1804, Napoleon announces his next step. He will become a royal, not a king, far too prosaic, but an emperor. His most controversial move is debated endlessly. Some people think that this is a moment in which he tips into megalomania. In fact it was a very sensible political move because he had survived over a dozen assassination attempts. The only way to stop these from happening was to ensure that he's family would continue to rule France. Sure enough, once he became emperor he trailed off. Even Mad King George, in a rare lucid moment, referred to it as experimental.
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