Napoleon's achievements

[Mikestone8]

Originally Posted by majoun

What positive achievements did Napoleon have other than the Code Napoleon and liberating Poland? His negative aspects - bringing death, ruin, and misery to millions via war - are well known, but what were his positive aspects?

Well, he was effectively the founder of the Second British Empire.

He spent the resources of GB's principal rival - France - in endless campaigns across the continent, most of which could do Britain little real harm even when successful. He also destroyed the power of our lesser rivals - Spain and the Netherlands. And while he did this, the RN was left free to go around the world collecting as much territory as it liked.

He ought to get that fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square.

[Snowball7]

Originally Posted by Mikestone8

Well, he was effectively the founder of the Second British Empire.

He spent the resources of GB's principal rival - France - in endless campaigns across the continent, most of which could do Britain little real harm even when successful. He also destroyed the power of our lesser rivals - Spain and the Netherlands. And while he did this, the RN was left free to go around the world collecting as much territory as it liked.

He ought to get that fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square.

sure, he also helped elevate the House of Rothschild, inadvertently, because
Rothschild agents caused a panic in the Bank of England by lying, they reported
that Napoleon won Waterloo, causing the pound to collapse, meanwhile they
were loading up after they shorted it.

[NJGOAT]

Originally Posted by Snowball7

sure, he also helped elevate the House of Rothschild, inadvertently, because
Rothschild agents caused a panic in the Bank of England by lying, they reported
that Napoleon won Waterloo, causing the pound to collapse, meanwhile they
were loading up after they shorted it.

ROFL...that is one of the oldest myths (of which there are multiple versions of this particular canard) about the Rothschilds and has been thoroughly debunked by countless authors. It is generally accepted that Rothschild heard about the victory before anyone else owing to his courier network. However, the whole manipulating the bond market in the way you described is complete myth. The Rothschild's had bet heavily on a protracted war and Waterloo meant that wasn't going to happen. They made money off of the Napoleonic Wars to be sure, but not to the extreme extent claimed by the conspiracy theorists.

[Dd714]

Originally Posted by majoun

What positive achievements did Napoleon have other than the Code Napoleon and liberating Poland? His negative aspects - bringing death, ruin, and misery to millions via war - are well known, but what were his positive aspects?

Rise of nationalism and the development of the unified German state maybe? - well that can be argued as the precursor of the two World Wars so I would be hesitant to count that.
His influence on the Independence of Latin America? - certainly but I see that as destiny regardless of his impact.
His overthrow of the monarchies of Europe? - being that France pretty much ended up back under the monarchy after Napolean fell, the same rule as before the French Revolution, I wouldn't attribute much to that.

His negative aspects however...
Virtually two decades of never ending Global War (yes I know, some before he came to power) that resulted in the deaths of about 5 million.
The development of the modern authoritative Police State.
The development of the concept of Total War.

I find it a fascinating subject historically, he was a brilliant military strategist and politician, and he dramatically changed history like no other in the 19th century, but it's hard to find anything positive that he contributed to the human race.