79-258 Napoleon

6 units, Carnegie Mellon University

It is said that more books have been written on Napoleon Bonaparte than on almost any other historical figure. In this course, we will explore several themes, including how a revolution dedicated to liberty, equality, and fraternity culminated in the rise of a leader who exercised an authoritarian and personal power. What weaknesses was Napoleon able to exploit in Frances fledgling democracy, and how did he build a personal brand that allowed him to accumulate power around himself We will examine his transformation of Europe, but also his actions beyond Europe in Egypt and Haiti. Finally, we will interrogate the notion of great men of history, highlighting some of the voices that a focus on Napoleon himself fails to capture.

Prerequisites: none listed

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