Post by missemmagoodmatch on Feb 27, 2010 16:45:07 GMT -5
Despite the ample onslaught of my academic duties, my research of the Regency era, and Napoleonic warfare has not wavered in the least.
Google, being the most qualified to acquire the most relevant and informative sites regarding the two mentioned and lengthy subjects, a sound wealth of sites have been my lodestar. To be certain, the subjects have been inaccurately portrayed in slews of films and other media genres.
It was the era of the first stages of the Romantic movement, this movement having been a catalyst for various other artistic and social changes. This era stands on the precipice of the Georgian era and the Victorian era, it has been labeled as a combination of both eras, but in retrospect, it can be classified and truly is, an era of its own.
We must consider not only was this the deluge in the wake of the American and French Revolution, but social changes were being erected in such lightning speed. Equality, independence and a new sense of individuality was stamped firmly upon the minds and ideals of young people as well their elders. Though it is a beneficial and godly virtue to uphold, we most realize that good-as bad can be used for good- can be used for more sinister and nefarious means.
The Sardenian born French general , Emperor and dictator, Napoleon Bonaparte, forever etched in history and posterity as something of a Romantic figure, labeled also as a predecessor to Hitler or ambitious madman, is the primary example here of I mean to communicate here.
Having been rigorously schooled in the learned and cultivated French Military schools, Bonaparte quickly rose to power after quelling the antithesis revolt to the French Directory Regime, the radical government instituted after the collapse of the Bourbon Monarchy. His "Whiff of Grapeshot" granted him an ample power-hold on then crumbling control of the Directory. His conniving manipulations and strong-arming his way to position through not only military means , but political fervor foddered by the dissipated French, would be his foundation -and ultimately his downfall-for power.
Being crowned Emperor of France in 1804, as depicted in Jacques Louis David's acclaimed and colossal painting, "The Coronation of Napoleon", the revolutionary is displayed here, not succumbing to any parochial authority, Bonaparte infamously crowns himself, deigning the Pope's acceptance.
From there on, Bonaparte would conquer the majority and battle exhaustively with the rememants of Europe. It can be safely said that his wars, spanning an incredible near two decades, be on par with the two world wars to come in the some 100-130 years later.
The scale is mind-defying by any standards, but when considered by the standards of the late 18th to early 19th century, it is unfathomable. Consider if you will, the meager yet overburdening populations of European countries, the narrowing middle class , the limited resources of medical and financial means and military power.
There can no be doubt Bonaparte, seeing this fatal vulnerability, prey most rigorously on the fact, having crushed Spain and Italy with little struggle. Germany and Austria were more formidable foes, proving to be a force, though small, to be reckoned with. The same is evident for the Imperial Russian Army, its resolved and thorough discipline, complied with its the forces of the famed and legendary warrior, the Cossacks. But the ingenuity -or rather the genius- of Bonaparte's military strategy and the sheer volume of his Grand Armee proved a defeating match for the other opposing armies of Europe, that is with the exception of the Naval aspect, the British still held their position as the champion of the seas.
However, as the eternal quote says, "Out of the ashes, the Phoenix arises", so had the Russian, Austrian and the German-though divided they were- armed forces unite and erect a far stronger armies among themselves
Google, being the most qualified to acquire the most relevant and informative sites regarding the two mentioned and lengthy subjects, a sound wealth of sites have been my lodestar. To be certain, the subjects have been inaccurately portrayed in slews of films and other media genres.
It was the era of the first stages of the Romantic movement, this movement having been a catalyst for various other artistic and social changes. This era stands on the precipice of the Georgian era and the Victorian era, it has been labeled as a combination of both eras, but in retrospect, it can be classified and truly is, an era of its own.
We must consider not only was this the deluge in the wake of the American and French Revolution, but social changes were being erected in such lightning speed. Equality, independence and a new sense of individuality was stamped firmly upon the minds and ideals of young people as well their elders. Though it is a beneficial and godly virtue to uphold, we most realize that good-as bad can be used for good- can be used for more sinister and nefarious means.
The Sardenian born French general , Emperor and dictator, Napoleon Bonaparte, forever etched in history and posterity as something of a Romantic figure, labeled also as a predecessor to Hitler or ambitious madman, is the primary example here of I mean to communicate here.
Having been rigorously schooled in the learned and cultivated French Military schools, Bonaparte quickly rose to power after quelling the antithesis revolt to the French Directory Regime, the radical government instituted after the collapse of the Bourbon Monarchy. His "Whiff of Grapeshot" granted him an ample power-hold on then crumbling control of the Directory. His conniving manipulations and strong-arming his way to position through not only military means , but political fervor foddered by the dissipated French, would be his foundation -and ultimately his downfall-for power.
Being crowned Emperor of France in 1804, as depicted in Jacques Louis David's acclaimed and colossal painting, "The Coronation of Napoleon", the revolutionary is displayed here, not succumbing to any parochial authority, Bonaparte infamously crowns himself, deigning the Pope's acceptance.
From there on, Bonaparte would conquer the majority and battle exhaustively with the rememants of Europe. It can be safely said that his wars, spanning an incredible near two decades, be on par with the two world wars to come in the some 100-130 years later.
The scale is mind-defying by any standards, but when considered by the standards of the late 18th to early 19th century, it is unfathomable. Consider if you will, the meager yet overburdening populations of European countries, the narrowing middle class , the limited resources of medical and financial means and military power.
There can no be doubt Bonaparte, seeing this fatal vulnerability, prey most rigorously on the fact, having crushed Spain and Italy with little struggle. Germany and Austria were more formidable foes, proving to be a force, though small, to be reckoned with. The same is evident for the Imperial Russian Army, its resolved and thorough discipline, complied with its the forces of the famed and legendary warrior, the Cossacks. But the ingenuity -or rather the genius- of Bonaparte's military strategy and the sheer volume of his Grand Armee proved a defeating match for the other opposing armies of Europe, that is with the exception of the Naval aspect, the British still held their position as the champion of the seas.
However, as the eternal quote says, "Out of the ashes, the Phoenix arises", so had the Russian, Austrian and the German-though divided they were- armed forces unite and erect a far stronger armies among themselves