Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon Bonaparte was the famous leader and the Emperor of the French. Born in Corsica, Napoleon grew up under the First French Republic and served successfully in campaigns against the First and Second Coalition. After staging a coup d'état in 1799, Napoleon installed himself as the First Consul. Five years later, the French Senate made him emperor of the nation. During his reign, the emperor waged a series of wars called the Napoleonic Wars. His main goal was to spread the influence of France and expand his empire. Bonaparte's success was due in part to his alliances through his friends and family members who took command of nations that fell to French forces. After his failures in his invasion of Russia of 1812, his campaign for expansion came to an end. After being defeated in the Battle of Waterloo, Napoleon was imprisoned on the island of Saint Helena by his subordinates. While there, the emperor died of stomach cancer; however, scientists believe he died from arsenic poisoning.