Smiling frame

Napoleon Bonaparte was a French military and political leader. His reign shaped the way European politics worked in the 19th century. He was an influential leader and raged wars to conquer land. Bonaparte was born in Corsica and trained to be an artillery officer in France. He rose to power under the First French Republic and led several successful campaigns opposite the First and Second Coalitions against France. He turned the French army against all the major European countries during his reign as Emperor of France. The French attacked Russia in 1812 which turned the fortunes of Napoleon against him and his campaign never really recovered from the blow. Napoleon returned to power but was defeated in the legendary battle of Waterloo after which he spent that last six years of his life in Britain.