SHOULD NAPOLEON BONAPARTE BE SEEN ENEMY OF SAVIOUR
OF FRANCE?
wDirections: As we look back in history, should Napoléon Bonaparte be remembered as a
good leader? Think about what makes a good leader – then judge Napoléon Bonaparte’s
failures and accomplishments. Using your French Revolution vocabulary words discuss and
justify your conclusion and rationale in a five paragraph essay. Each body paragraph needs
to include at least two vocabulary words.
wVocab words: Napoléon Bonaparte, consulate, Code Napoleon/Napoleonic Code,
Battle of Waterloo, plebiscite, Grand Empire, Grand Army, Duke of Wellington,
scorched-earth policy, abdicate
Below are some points about Napoleon and some examples you can use to back them up.
You should choose them carefully, think about which sections they fit in to and add your own
explanations and extra details.
POINTS
was an arrogant man who thought he was
always right
was a skilled military planner
wanted to improve the lives of his fellow
countrymen
brought stability in France after it had been
through Revolution and War
was responsible for the deaths of thousands of
people
brought back glory and pride to the French
nation
never knew when to stop fighting
only wanted glory and power for himself
established a strong banking system
made France more efficient and better
organised
was a clever and ambitious man
was brave and determined
inspired his soldiers, so that they would fight
for him.
was impatient and yelled at people that
didn’t do fast enough for him.
made war plans which weren’t always very
realistic
brought freedom and justice to the whole of
Europe
brought war and suffering to the whole of
Europe
he was ruthless in his desire for power
made some disastrous military choices
EXAMPLEs
crowned himself Emperor of France in 1804
brought in a new system of education
built new canals, bridges and roads
made an agreement with the Roman Catholic
Church (the Concordat) to let them run the
French Church again
invaded Russia in June 1812 with an army of
600,000 men. Returned to France with just
100,000
didn’t take winter clothing to Russia when
they invaded
was born on the island of Corsica
won many battles against the Royalists
before 1799
did not think women should have the same
rights as men
was sent to the island of Saint Helena in
1815 and died there in 1819
promoted soldiers because they were good,
not because he knew them
introduced a simplified law system called
the Code Napoleon
wanted his troops to ‘live off the land’
wasn’t prepared for the ‘scorched earth
policy’, when the Russians destroyed their
homes and crops then retreated
defeated many different European countries
before 1810
didn’t have a way of feeding his troops
was sent to the island of Elba when he was
first defeated in 1814
was defeated by Wellington at the Battle of
Waterloo
Introduction
introduced the metric system into all of
Europe
Wanted to start a Grand Empire to replace
the Holy Roman Empire.
thought he could defeat Russia in only one
month (poor plan)
freed many Europeans from working as serfs
for their lords
escaped from Elba and raised an army of
one million men who he marched to Paris
Name:
Napoleon is one of the most famous people in history. Some people see him as a great man
who rescued France and led it to many glorious victories. Other people see him as powerobsessed man who was only interested in his own glory. He was born... [describe his
background]
He achieved many things in his career such as... [give examples] which show he was a good
leader.
On the other hand, he made some serious mistakes as well. For example... [give an example]
which makes him look like a bad leader.
It is important to look at evidence on both sides in order to decide.
Thesis: Remember, a thesis must make a claim that is debatable. (if you “buy” one of the
examples below you will be charged 5 points).
 Napoléon Bonaparte’s accomplishments on the battlefield and as the ruler of France
prove that he was a good leader.
 Although Napoléon Bonaparte was arrogant, his leadership on the battlefield and
establishing a solid foundation for citizens in France after the revolution proves that
he was a good leader.
 Although Napoléon Bonaparte accomplished some amazing things, his arrogance and
wastefulness of money and lives prove he was a bad leader for France.
 Even though Napoléon Bonaparte’s was an excellent general, his greed and
ruthlessness proves that he was a poor leader for France.
Section 1
Point: In 1799, Napoleon took control of France and established…
Evidence: He brought about many important changes which make him seem like a good
leader. [Find examples of what he achieved]
Explanation::
Evidence: Despite all of this, it could be said that he was not the best leader. [Find examples
of what makes him look like a bad leader]
Explanation:
Link: Overall, as a leader of France, I think he was a good/bad leader because...
Section 2
Point:
Evidence:
Explanation:
Link:
Section 3
Point: In 1812, Napoleon decided to invade Russia. He had already shown that he could win
wars in Europe.[Find examples of victories in Europe] Evidence:
After his victories in Europe, he made a plan to invade Russia.
When it came to it, however, the plan didn’t work out. [Describe how and why the plan
failed and what happened to Napoleon as a result] Explaination
Link: Overall, Napoleon’s attempt to invade Russia shows that he was a good/bad leader
because…
Section 4
Napoleon managed to escape from the island of Elba in 1815. He showed what kind of a
leader he was during the ‘Hundred Days’ when he tried to take back France and fight the
Coalition of the British, Prussians and others. [Describe how he took back power and started
the war again] Evidence:
The Battle of Waterloo was Napoleon’s last chance to defeat his enemies and stay in power.
He had some advantages…
Despite this, he failed to defeat Wellington.
[Describe his defeat and exile (being sent away from France) and death] Explanation:
Conclusion
Restate Thesis:
There many ways in which Napoleon can be seen as a good leader and France’s hero.[Give
your most important examples and explain]
On the other hand, some can defend the idea that Napoleon can be seen as an enemy of
France. [Give your most important examples and explain]
In conclusion, I believe Napoleon should/should not be seen as a good leader because…
SHOULD NAPOLEON BONAPARTE BE SEEN ENEMY OF SAVIOUR
OF FRANCE?
wDirections: As we look back in history, should Napoléon Bonaparte be remembered as a
good leader? Think about what makes a good leader – then judge Napoléon Bonaparte’s
failures and accomplishments.
 Using your French Revolution vocabulary words discuss and justify your conclusion
and rationale in a five or six paragraph essay.
 Each body paragraph needs to include at least two vocabulary words. (2pt. each) TO
RECEIVE POINTS – You must underling or boldface the vocabulary words and
follow them with the definition in parenthesis.
*Example: Although he
originally appointed himself First Counsel, two years later Napoleon Bonaparte was
elected First Counsel for life after a plebiscite (popular vote).
 Your essay will be grading using the WHS History AV rubric (below). Read it
carefully and use it as a guide to earning full points.
 You may choose to present your essay orally or on video. The due date of the video is
the same as the paper. For presentations, see me and we will arrange for a day next
week.
wVocab words: Napoléon Bonaparte, consulate, plebiscite, Code Napoleon/Napoleonic
Code, Battle of Waterloo,
Grand Army, Duke of Wellington, scorched-earth policy, abdicate
Body paragraph #1 Vocab _________________/4
Body paragraph #2 Vocab ________________/4
Body paragraph #3 Vocab ________________/4
Body paragraph #4 Vocab ________________/4 (optional)
Total points: _____________/36
Waimea high school history academic vocabulary rubric
DISCUSSION
D TEXT
WORODS
1
ASSIGNMENT
USE IN
WIRITING
USE IN
COMPREHEN
KNOWLEDGE OF CONTENT
criteria
3
4
Demonstrates little or no
knowledge of content
words and is unable to
offer simple responses or
examples regarding the
word.
Provides simple
explanations of content
words; does not provide
examples
2
Provides complete
definitions of content
words and offers examples
and non-examples of the
word.
Provides extensive
explanations of content with
numerous examples and nonexamples; offers many
associations to other related
words; is able to compare
and contrast content words
through specific features of
the word.
Demonstrates difficulty in
comprehending text due
to a lack of knowledge
of content words.
Comprehends most of the
text as a result of some
knowledge of content
words.
Comprehends the text as
a result of knowledge of
content words.
Rarely uses content
words in orally presented
assignments
Uses some content words,
often with a low to
average degree of
accuracy in orally
presented assignments.
Uses a large number of
content words with a
moderate degree of
accuracy in orally
presented assignments.
Comprehends the text and
makes reference or
connections to many of the
content words in response to
the reading.
Uses an extensive number of
content words with a high
degree of accuracy in orally
presented assignments.
Rarely uses content
words in writing
assignments.
Uses some content words,
often with a low to
average degree of
accuracy in writing
assignments.
Uses a large number of
content words with a
moderate degree of
accuracy in writing
assignments
Uses an extensive number of
content words with a high
degree of accuracy in writing
assignments.