> In 1769, where was Napoleon Bonaparte born?And the answer: Corsica. Born on the Mediterranean island of Corsica, Napoleon's family descended fromItalian nobility. As a military leader, he rose to prominence during the FrenchRevolution, and crowned himself Emperor of France in 1804.Photo credit: public domain.Although Napoleon was born on newly-declared Frenchsoil, his relationship to the nation was largely informed by the tumultuouspolitics of the late 16th century. As he was completing his studies in Corsica,he was promoted to be an officer in the artillery division of the French army.Around the same time, the French Revolution began, and the French monarchy fellto the forces of the masses. It was during the chaos and violence of the ensuingReign of Terror that Napoleon began to gain fame, winning his first majorvictory against Royalist forces. After the battle, he was celebrated as a warhero. Napoleon's battles with forces that opposed the new Republic of France won himfavor with French leaders, and he was appointed Commander in Chief of the Frenchmilitary. With this new power and prestige, Napoleon began to expand Frenchinfluence in surrounding regions. He first laid claim to Austria, and by 1799Napoleon had acquired many new territories in Europe. Turning his attention tothe eastern Mediterranean, he then attempted to conquer Egypt (and discoveredthe Rosetta Stone [https://www.askqotd.com/the-rosetta-stone/] on accident). When he returned to France, he returned with a plan: overthrow the currentFrench government. This plot came to be known as the Coup d'etat of 18 Brumaire,and represented a successful effort to dismantle the current French governmentand set up a new one called The Consulate. Naming himself First Consul, Napoleonhad not only conquered France, but all of eastern Europe. As First Consul, Napoleon instituted many popular reforms that helped stabilizethe country. He offered free secondary education and created the Bank of France,which won him public favor. However, Napoleon's desire to conquer was hisultimate downfall. After the Consulate was transformed into the French Empire in1804, Napoleon embarked on a series of wars now known as the Napoleonic Wars,which challenged surrounding and adjacent nations for their land. In 1813,though, the combined forces of Russia, Prussia, Austria, and Sweden defeatedNapoleon's armies in Europe, forcing him to abdicate the throne. He was banishedto the island of Elba, and although was able to make his escape, Napoleonultimately fell to British powers 100 days later. At the Battle of Waterloo,Napoleon fell for good. Learn more about Napoleon's life and legacy on the French empire below.