PREVIOUSLY ASKED IN:
WBPSC Miscellaneous Preliminary 2023
Answer
Napoleon Bonaparte
Explanation
This famous paradox was stated by the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. He considered himself the 'child of the revolution' as he preserved many of its ideals, such as equality before the law through the Napoleonic Code. However, he also 'destroyed' the revolution by abolishing the republic and crowning himself as the absolute Emperor.
Key Points
- > Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of France in 1804.
- > His civil code is famously known as the 'Napoleonic Code'.
- > He was finally defeated at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.
- > Exiled to the remote island of St. Helena where he died.
- > Otto von Bismarck is known for his 'Blood and Iron' policy.
- > Benito Mussolini was the founder of Italian Fascism.
- > Adolf Hitler led the Nazi Party in Germany.
Additional Information
Famous European Quotes
| Leader | Country | Famous Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Napoleon Bonaparte | France | I am the revolution... |
| Otto von Bismarck | Germany | Blood and Iron |
| Louis XIV | France | I am the state (L'État, c'est moi) |
| Karl Marx | Germany | Workers of the world, unite! |
Memory Tips
- Think of Napoleon as a double-edged sword for France—he brought revolutionary laws but killed the republic to become an Emperor.