The Rest Is History 382. Young Napoleon: Teenage Revolutionary (Part 1)
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Oct 30, 2023 Discover the young Napoleon Bonaparte's tumultuous beginnings in Corsica, where his political roots took shape amid unrest. The podcast dives into his identity crisis as he transitioned from a Corsican rebel to a French revolutionary, influenced by famous figures like Pasquale Paoli. Listeners explore his intellectual arrogance and moodiness, while also contemplating his interactions with the opposite sex, blending youthful desire with philosophical ideals. All of this sets the stage for his rise during the chaotic times of the French Revolution.
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Teenage Napoleon's Despair
- In 1786, a young Napoleone Buonaparte contemplated suicide, expressing his despair over Corsica's plight.
- He felt powerless to change his country's situation, occupied by the French.
Napoleon's Corsican Roots
- Napoleon Bonaparte, a towering figure in French history, was ironically Corsican, not French.
- His Corsican origins significantly shaped his identity and ambitions.
Corsican Hostility
- Tom Holland visited Napoleon's house in Ajaccio, Corsica, and witnessed the island's hostility towards France.
- Corsicans planned to test nuclear bombs there in the 1950s, highlighting the tense relationship.