Tim Cornell

Period 2

Napoleon Bonaparte and the French Revolution
The life and times of a soldier in Napoleon's army
August 15, 1788
My tailoring work has been chaotic as of late.. It seems that while one week I will
be busy preparing another royal gown and expecting the generous sum of gold
for my hard work, the next I will be close to starving with no work at all. As
quickly as I am able to make my fortunes off of our extravagant Austrian queen, it
seems to disappear just as fast under the outrageous food prices.
For my sake, lets hope my last magnificent dress will soon bore Marie, for I have
not eaten in two days now. I know as tough as the times seem to be, it will all be
over soon like a past dream fading out of memory, that's how it has always
happened anyway.
September 2, 1788
Today I was once again reminded of my low place in society by another arrogant
noble, after knocking my into the muddy street with his horse he took the time to
get off and slap me with his glove, claiming that I had 'Startled his prize stallion.' I
am no noble, but I am not a peasant either. I knew my father was right; I should
have joined the clergy and been a part of the first estate. I find it ironic that the
more apparent it is that their power sits upon foundations of sand, that the nobles
become even more prideful about their privileged lifestyles. The people are getting
fed up with the lack of food and the vigorous spending of those who are supposed
to be guiding us. I can feel the very tension in the streets. I'm unsure of what lies
ahead, and I am equally disturbed by the sheer ferocity of the talk going around
the lower class. I can only hope that all of this will be over soon with little or no
bloodshed and yet I can feel in my heart that this hope is futile.
October 6, 1788
The financial crisis has been escalating beyond what even those with the darkest
outlooks could have imagined, between the constant additions to the palace and
the funding of the American colony’s revolution, our taxes have been all but
depleted. Even the nobles with all their splendor and apparel are starting to get
nervous. There’s word that an Estates General may be called. I have my doubts
about a rumor as bold as this though as such a thing hasn't happened in ages. But
all the while, as the economically failing country is falling apart around her, our
long overdue Austrian guest is still spending our tax dollars on jewelry and
decorations for her palace. With my profession I know firsthand Marie
Antoinette's highly impulsive spending behavior. Even though I'm suffering just as
much as anyone else, the people are starting to turn their hate on me because of
my ties to the royal house. I'm getting so desperate that I'm even considering
joining the army, despite the seemingly imminent blood waiting to be drawn.
July 15, 1789
Today my hand trembles as I write of another symptom from the violence that
occurred last night. The people banded together and stormed the Bastille, close to
a hundred were killed but the people eventually overwhelmed the guards and
seized the gunpowder they had come to claim. Being a simple bystander I still find
myself in shock to witness French soldiers firing on French citizens. I am starting
to wonder if all this bloodshed will really be worth it in the end.
January 22, 1793
Over the last two or three years it’s been hard to find the time to write. Becoming
a soldier in the national guard of the republic has taken its toll on my free time.
Upon finding this journal under a pile of old dusty books, I've decided the recent
events have been important enough to put down in words. As indeed it was just
yesterday that our former king, Louis the Seventeenth, was sentenced to immediate
execution at the guillotine. Robespierre brought forth documents that were found
in a secret apartment of the kings while he was imprisoned, the trial in which he
was convicted of high treason was short and brutal. Now, even more people are
being dragged to the guillotine and their death in front of the jeering crowds,
aristocrats and peasants alike. I feel uneasy about Robespierre and his crusade.
December 22 1793
My commander and chief, for whom I have the utmost confidence and pride in,
has been promoted to Brigadier General, a post that he more than deserves. I've
been serving under Napoleon for several months now and he is by far the best
commander I've come across. Not only is he charismatic and good at keeping up
the morale, but he is a brilliant artillery commander. He positioned our cannon's
around the British forts on several hillsides. No one could have guessed how
successful his plan would be. The true genius of his placement of the artillery
wasn't realized until we had already taken Toulon back from the British. I feel that
my commander is destined for great things indeed.
June 15, 1800
Yesterday our troop played a crucial part in the battle and Marengo. We arrived
with Napoleon and were able to drive off the Austrian assaults on all fronts. Our
general has done it again and we are victorious. Though I suppose I should refer
to him by his new position as first consulate. If any, I would have been the one to
guess that it would be Bonaparte to take power. After crossing the Alps with
victories in Italy, and now defeating the Austrians here, we will probably soon
start negotiating with treaties and trade agreements. For now, Europe is at peace.
April 13, 1814
The unimaginable has happened, after arriving to a burnt Moscow with huge
numbers of casualties in Russia, we tried to return to France under our emperor's
order. But many of my own commanding officers turned against Napoleon. With
Paris now under the control of the Allied Powers, he was quickly imprisoned and
forced to sign the Treaty of Fontainebleau, and has now been exiled of to the
Mediterranean island of Elba. I can only hope that our cause is not yet lost.
November 21, 1815
Our emperor has been defeated again. Duke Wellington flanked and destroyed
our army in the first battle it had seen since Napoleon's return from Elba. Now,
after signing the Treaty of Paris, Napoleon has been cast out on a desolate island
in the far reaches of the Mediterranean Sea, with little to no hope of rescue. God
help our general. The nation is now being run by King Louis XVll who is no doubt
just a vessel for the English to exert their power through. It has been a sad year,
and though many disliked him, I'm sure all will start to feel to absence of a strong
leader. Nine days before Napoleon’s defeat, the Congress of Vienna signed the
'Final Act' which split Europe among all the countries. I think that our emperor's
dream of full unification of Europe would have been far better for the coming
generations and I don't believe at all that this will truly be the “Final Act” of
Europe. But now, I must away, for I am going to travel our continent not as a
soldier this time, but a tailor. I go now to live my life, hopefully, in peace... adieu.
The Congress of Vienna marked the end to both the French revolution and
Napoleon's era. These events changed the way people thought about government,
and showed that it is the people who hold the power. Napoleon changed the face
of Europe with his brilliant tactics, nearly unifying the entire continent under his
rule. The 'Final Act' split these lands up again, giving pieces to different countries;
this caused a great deal of tension between the Austrians, Russians, and Prussians,
tensions that would eventually lead to the first world war.
From wars to politics, destruction to creation, this era forever changed the face of
the earth, for better or for worse.