Napoleon was successful for a variety of reasons until 1806. Motivation, Toulon, tactics, subordinates, ambition, meritocracy, Code Napoleon, Austerlitz and the enemy making mistakes were all very influential in his success. Motivation was a significant reason for Napoleon’s success as having a motivated army that fought hard for their leader was very useful in battle. He took time to speak to his soldiers asking them how their families were, he gave them medals if they deserved it, by doing this he gave them motivation and it also meant that others around them wanted to do better to receive praise themselves from Napoleon. He also gave speeches to the army to motivate them, which also developed the feeling of comradery within the ranks.
This huge amount of land that was under his controlled was known as the Angevin Empire, this land meant that Henry wasn’t going to be just King of England but also lord of half of France. This meant that he had immense power which could have intimidated the people that were willing to threaten his rule. As well as his power being something to fear, his power could also have been respected because he was so powerful he was able to keep half of France under control before he became king of England. This shows that he was a very capable leader, with lots of experience which would have aided him in getting a fast and secure kingdom easily. Henry had several advantages that came with becoming King of England, England had well established laws and customs that were in place, despite them being under strain through Stephens reign, they were still in place and waiting to be used.
Louis the 14th was a very powerful king that had many positive influences over the country of France. As absolute monarch, Louis the 14th had an incredible strategy for ruling and improving his county, making him noteworthy of the title as the greatest king in the history of his country. Louis was able to increase France’s economy by producing its own goods to trade with other countries, as opposed to purchasing goods from other places, which proves to be more costly. In addition to that, he assembled the most advanced army in Europe at that time. Interestingly, Louis became a patron of the arts, and greatly shaped France’s culture by emphasizing the importance of art and theater, climaxing with the Palace at Versailles.
This was important for Hitler’s rise to power as he gained huge population and support due to his impressive speeches. Hitler was also constantly on the ball with what he wanted to achieve and was ruthless and determined in getting it. This made him a strong central leader for Germany, just like the Kaiser who had been in power just 15 years earlier. This also helped Hitler in his rise as many people were still pining for a strong dictator and didn’t believe in a democratic government. Hitler was also very good at reorganising the Nazi Party from 1924 to
Julius Caesar was one of the most brilliant figures in all of history, particularly in the long history of Rome. His accomplishments were so significant that “The German ‘kaiser’ and the Russian ‘czar’ [are both] derivatives of Caesar” (Source 1). Caesar was an extraordinary military leader, vastly expanding Rome’s lands. He was a very intelligent man, and when he became dictator, made many important political and social reforms for the good of Rome. Caesar’s military prowess and his reforms crafted him into the extraordinary person that historians all recognize as great.
Washington served as president for two terms, during which he accomplished many new things. Washington accepted Jay's treaty, which settled the arguments between America and the British. Washington also decided that the Bill of Rights should be added to the Constitution, agreeing that they should have Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Press, and Freedom of Religion. George Washington was a brave and intelligent man who fought for his country’s freedom and enforced that freedom as the first president of the United States; due to his accomplishments Washington is remembered as one of the greatest presidents of all time. Other presidents have impacted this country as well.
It can be argued that Bismarck was a successful statesman given his notable ability to change his affiliations with the political parties so that the most significant force within the Reichstag was supportive of him, ensuring his policies were pushed through; and when the political feeling of the nation changed, Bismarck was able to quickly switch sides, ensuring he remained Chancellor. The first years of Bismarck’s reign as Chancellor can be seen as his ‘Liberal Years’. This is because the National Liberal party were the dominant political party in the Reichstag. And as Bismarck did not have a party of his own, he needed to secure an alliance with them. This was relatively simple as they both shared similar aims; the Liberals, like Bismarck, had a main aim of national unity, and also shared some short term goals with him, such as centralisation of administrative power and the opposition to the Catholics and the Centre Party.
Because of those Napoleon can be seen as one of the greatest Generals that ever lived. If you look at the historical meaning, I think it it more debatable. Napoleon is without doubt one of the greatest leaders in military history, his skill as a general both tactically and strategically is without question, his rise to power astounding. Few men in history have had such an impact on world history and he easily ranks along side such leaders as Alexander the Great and Hannibal. Like those leaders he was an authoritarian leader and a dictator whose skill was matched by his ambition, one of those who did not know when the possible ended and the impossible began.
There are several reasons as to why Lloyd George won the general election in 1918 such as his personal popularity, the success of the wartime coalition government in winning the war, the increased number of votes from the public and David Lloyd Georges decisions and promises made during the election campaign. Lloyd Georges personal popularity was mainly based on his achievements of leading the country successfully through the Great War after the collapse of Asquith's government. Although Lloyd George was a liberal himself, he became head of the coalition government, mainly of unionists or conservatives with Liberals and Labours support. He was increasingly seen as having the necessary energy to drive and achieve victory becoming the 'man who won the war'. The 1918 election subsequently became known as the coupon election in reference to the signed letter of endorsement that selected coalition candidates received from Lloyd George and the conservative leader Andrew Bonar Law.
Question: To what extent were Alexander’s military successes a result of strength and skill of his army or the weaknesses of his opponents? Alexander the Great succeeded his father, Philip II of Macedon, to the throne in 336 BC after Philip was assassinated. Alexander inherited a strong kingdom and an experienced army. He was awarded the generalship of Greece and used this authority to launch his father's military expansion plans. From a young age Alexander started to show his leadership skills and came to command a portion of his fathers great army by the age of 15, whilst his father was away fighting.