Was the exile of Napoleon just?

Question

I am writing a paper and I need peoples opinions.

Answer 1

The exile of Napoleon was just. Since the French revolution Europe had been basically at war, and Napoleon was a military genius. Europe wanted peace and could not leave Napoleon in power, they feared execution, for despite the bloodshed he became the symbol of a strong free french republic, and the French would rise up again at his call.

Despite the wars, the people of France loved Napoleon. The idea of the French Republic was realized by Napoleon with the introduction of the Napoleonic Code.

History portrays Napoleon as a Ruthless Dictator and this might be correct, however the ideas of the French Republic were viewed as a threat the the monarchies that surrounded France, and these monarchies wanted to and tried to several times to return a King to the French Throne which the majority of the French did not want.

History is often written by the victor, but if Napoleon was so bad for France why did so many freely join him? People from many nations freely joined him, not just the french. Bavarians, Poles, Franks, Slavs, most of the "peasants for the feudal monarchies joined Napoleons army. The fought for the promise of a better world.

Answer 2

No he should have been executed the first time around. That damn warmonger! The first thing he did when he escaped was wage more war. Go figure.

Think about it. He went into Russia with 400,000+ troops and left it with less than 50,000. He should have been executed by his own people for treason. And why did he invade Russia? Well, hell, looked like a good challenge to him.

So, if anything, exile was a very soft punishment.

Answer 3

I could not have said it better than James N.