Napoleon vs. Metternich who made his times? (IB format)
... counter any liberal movements · Is successful until 1848, when a series of revolutions force him to resign Napoleon by Albert Marrin · Napoleon will forever be known as the promoter of the modern state, and influential for many different national unification movements · He created the Civil Code, a lot of his laws are used even today · Created many various policies in France that have been continued even in modern times · Responsible for the death of 1 million in Europe as an effect of this wars · Romanticist movement sparked with his reign C. Evaluation of Sources The sources used had many various advantages, and disadvantages that could determine its validity. The textbook A History of the Modern World is written from a modern standpoint, and by two authors. The advantage of two authors is that there is a far less bias, rather than with one author. Another significant advantage is that it is a college level text, in which both authors have PhDs, and are professors at prestigious universities. Due to the fact it is written for college students, the writers obviously want to give a history from al sides, allowing the student to interpret the text. Joel Colton, was however a military intelligence officer during WWII, and due to his experiences he may have a biased or exaggerated view of Italians or German, and could possibly glorify Napoleon criticizing Napoleon’s Prussian, Austrian or Italian rivals. This book is also written in modern times, and is therefore a secondary source, using many secondary sources. Even the primary sources they used may not be the most accurate, because they often require translation. The secondary sources also do not tell the reader how life truly was during an event. A professor teaching history at a university level writes the book Napoleon. He however intended to write this book for young adults, and averages teens, who seek just raw information on Napoleon, and aren’t preoccupied with analytical interpretations of history. It is also a secondary source. D. Analysis The question of whether the careers of Napoleon and Metternich are extremely significant, since the understanding of their impact can give the analysts during modern times, a greater understanding, and a method to reason what their motives were, and how Napoleon and Metternich influenced history. Napoleon was indeed a creator of his times. In fact more than a century later, Charles Du Gaulle would say about Napoleon, “Great things cannot be accomplished without great men.” (Marrin 266) He did a lot attempting to improve France, and to create a modern base from which world domination could be possible. The reign of Napoleon gave the French a civil code, a code of laws that in use today not only in France, but also in many parts of Latin America. It was also he who is responsible ultimately for firmly rooting republicanism in France. The French now with a taste of a liberal rule refused to let go of their rights, and would redirect France into becoming an increasingly liberal republic. ...