On this day 207 years ago, Napoleon Bonaparte was crowed Emperor of France in Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. With his hands on the Bible, he took the following oath: "I swear to maintain the integrity of the territory of the Republic, to respect and enforce respect for the Concordat and freedom of religion, equality of rights, political and civil liberty, the irrevocability of the sale of national lands; not to raise any tax except in virtue of the law; to maintain the institution of Legion of Honor and to govern in the sole interest, happiness and glory of the French people"
Napoleon had risen from the poverty of his Corsican roots to become the most famous and competent general of the French Republic, still gripped by the turmoil of the Revolution. With a small army, the took the initiative against France's numerous enemies, primarily the Italians and Austrians. After defeating them in numerous battles, his prestige earned him rapid promotion. By 1800, he had abolished the unpopular Directory, establishing himself as First Consul.
By exploiting the people's fears of royalist and Jaccobin (the most radical Revolutionary party) plots, he was able to establish a new monarchy. The French people were able to accept the title Emperor over the word King. The nation had seen a dramatic increase in its power and wealth. Those who had perpetrated the Reign of Terror were actively being hunted and punished. Bonaparte was a God's blessing.
During his ten year reign, Napoleon would conquer all of Europe except Spain and Britain. By the time he was finally defeated at Waterloo in 1815, France had survived the Six Wars of Coalition against the United Kingdom and multiple enemies. Before Waterloo, many considered Napoleon's Grand Army all but invincible. He pioneered tactics that would be used by American generals decades later in their own country.
According to legend, during the coronation ceremony, Napoleon took the crown from Pope Pius VII's hands and said, "I can do it myself." This was a symbolic gesture to show that he was above the Church. He then crowned his beloved Josephine.
The ceremony would turn his biggest admirer against him. Ludwig von Beethoven had dedicated his 3rd Symphony to him, but disgusted by this turn towards imperialism, he scratched his own name from the document.
