383. Young Napoleon: The Shadow of the Guillotine (Part 2)
Nov 2, 2023
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Explore Napoleon's evolution from a young military rebel to a rising star in the French Revolution. Discover his escape from Corsica, his rise to power, and his engagement in the south of France. Uncover his relationship with Eugené Desiré Clary and his lack of romanticism. Witness how he transformed himself into a celebrity after a victorious battle. Delve into the significance of his journey to Italy and his embracing of French identity.
53:52
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Quick takeaways
Napoleon solidifies his authority through successful use of force and becomes the military governor of Paris.
Napoleon's strategic genius shines during his Italian campaign, establishing him as a figure of destiny.
Napoleon's marriage to Josephine plays a significant role in his personal and political life as he navigates their complex relationship.
Deep dives
Napoleon rises through the ranks and becomes a hero after the Siege of Toulon
Following the fall of Robespierre and the Jacobin regime, Napoleon seizes an opportunity to establish his position of authority and suppress a revolt in Paris. His successful use of force solidifies his reputation and leads to his appointment as the military governor of the city.
Napoleon marries Josephine and prepares for a military campaign in Italy
Napoleon, infatuated with Josephine, marries her and becomes determined to prove himself on the battlefield. He plans a two-pronged attack on Austria, with his army personally leading the assault on Italy. Napoleon gathers knowledge on Italy and becomes increasingly focused on his military objectives.
Napoleon gains victories in Italy and changes his name
As Napoleon embarks on his Italian campaign, he demonstrates his strategic genius and military prowess, securing important victories. It is during this time that he decides to change the spelling of his name to 'Bonaparte', signifying his transformation into a Frenchman. With each success, Napoleon further establishes himself as a figure of destiny.
Napoleon assumes command of the army of Italy and plans for further conquests
Having demonstrated his military skills and leadership, Napoleon assumes command of the army of Italy. He prepares for further military conquests, aiming to realize his ambition of conquering Austria and expanding French influence.
Napoleon's rise to power and his marriage to Josephine
Napoleon's rise to power is accompanied by his marriage to Josephine, who becomes a significant figure in his life. Despite some initial reservations, Napoleon is infatuated with Josephine. Together, they navigate the complexities of their relationship, bringing personal and political dimensions into play.
Within the turmoil of the French Revolution, Napoleon Bonaparte stands out to his military superiors, first by defeating the British at Toulon, then by putting down a royalist mob in Paris when outnumbered four to one, with a “whiff of grapeshot”. Having finally shaken off the humiliation of the failed invasion of Sardinia which began his career, he is made Commander of the Interior, and rewarded with command of the Army of Italy. Has the Corsican rebel finally given up on his roots, and embraced French ideals of brotherhood? Join Tom and Dominic in the second part of our deep dive on young Napoleon, as they delve into his rise within the French military, his disillusionment with Corsican politics, his precocious strategic savoir-faire, and the story of how he met the future Empress of the French, Josephine de Beauharnais…
*The Rest Is History Live Tour 2023*:
Tom and Dominic are back on tour this autumn! See them live in London, New Zealand, and Australia!