Military CareerNapoleon began his military career at the age of 16. He
was commissioned in the French army as a second lieutenant. He spent most of his early years in the army studying and developing his own tactics. He met with a few important political figures including Saliceti and Paul Barras. These figures helped him get promoted to major. Soon enough, Napoleon took part in his first battle at the siege of Toulon. With his help and strategy, the siege was won by Napoleon. After the siege, Napoleon was promoted to brigadier-general. Eventually, he found himself at the head of command of the Italian Army at the age of only twenty-six. As the commander of the Army of Italy, Napoleon realized that his army was lacking equipment and was malnourished. Napoleon fought multiple campaigns in Italy and rarely won a battle. Important battles that occurred in his campaign include the Battle for the Bridge of Lodi, the siege of Mantua, and the three-day battle of Arcola. Later on after the Italian campaign, Napoleon helped defend the Directory of France from mobs. The Directory was the highest authority of the French government. Eventually, Napoleon became the First Consul of France by using his political friends. The Directory functioned as our Congress does, while Napoleon functioned as our president does. |
Map of the Siege of Toulon
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