Human Heritage: A World History

"Napoleon: The Man and the Myth"

Introduction
Napoleon Bonaparte was a fierce warrior and dominant ruler of France. During his first battle in Italy, he carefully created reports from the battlefield, intending to increase his fame while hiding the coldblooded way he raided the country. Napoleon’s strategy included commissioning paintings of himself as a surefire hero, appointed by God to rule over France. To learn more about the rise and fall of Napoleon Bonaparte, go to the PBS Web site feature “Napoleon.”

Destination Title: Napoleon

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Directions
Start at the PBS Web site feature “Napoleon”.

• Click on three of the icons displayed on the right of the screen, covering “The Man and the Myth,” “Politics in Napoleon’s Time,” and “Napoleon at War.”
• Browse through the three pages, taking notes as you go. Pay close attention to the links “Youth and Family Life,” “Self-Made Myth,” “Politics and the People,” “The Fall of Napoleon’s Empire,” “Napoleon’s Legacy,” and “The Soldier's Life.”
• Apply what you learn to answer the following questions.

1			Napoleon never forgave his father for what action?
2			Where was Napoleon’s final palace located?
3			What had Napoleon achieved by November 1799?
4			What is considered to be Napoleon’s greatest legacy?
5			After reading the section “The Soldier’s Life,” imagine that you are a soldier under Napoleon’s command. Write a letter to your family back home about a typical day on the battlefield.