Napoleon Bonaparte Compared To Lenin

happened during a time of severe political unrest. After the revolutions and the previously under delivering governments, the people of both nations latched on to a radical leader who showed passion and strength. In addition, both time periods included mass executions of anyone who was considered an enemy of the state. One difference between Napoleon and Lenin were the political systems they implemented. Napoleon was a fascist, he had a huge emphasis on the military and total control over what the public saw. Also, Napoleon used fear to justify his wars and get the people on his side. However, Lenin was a communist, he wanted to overthrow the bourgeoisie and give the labor class more power. Communists believe in an almost utopian society

Lenin came from a middle class family, his father worked in public education and both Lenin’s parents were adamant in promoting the welfare of the country. In 1887 Lenin witnessed his older brother hanged for plotting against Tsar Alexander III; after his brother’s death, Lenin immersed himself in the writings of Karl Marx and Russian critics(Kreis). Napoleon was born on the island of Corsica, the island was actually against French rule and was defeated in an attempt to gain it’s independence. Although Napoleon’s family was not rich, his father submitted to French rule and became an aristocrat on the island. The island was impoverished so they did not attain much wealth, however, Napoleon’s father was able to secure his son a scholarship a private academy called Brienne. At Brienne, Napoleon began his military career at the age of fifteen; living in the world of French aristocrats, Napoleon became a radical revolutionary(Youth and Family Life). One could argue that these upbringings are similar, but Lenin would resent Napoleon for the fact that he Napoleon learned and grew up in aristocracy. Lenin was a vehement opponent of the bourgeoisie and would never cavort with the wealthy and noble. Napoleon and Lenin were groomed for radical change from an early age, however, the way this change was instilled in them was quite