power hungry, ruthless killer and the saviour of France all in one? The rumoured short ruler with a long legacy, Napoleon Bonaparte, is arguably one of the most uniquely influential historical figures in European history. From his savvy army tactics to his ability to control a country with just words, there is no doubt that Napoleon was a multipotential jack of all trades. Moreover, Napoleon’s actions have both benefited France and caused conflict. Historians have argued for years whether Napoleon was a Hero or Tyrant, but rightfully so, he should fit in both categories. Although he was able to stabilize France’s Economy, Government, Social and Religious aspects, he also ruled like a dictator and halted France’s development as a free republic. Was Napoleon really the saviour of France, or a tyrant in disguise-or, a mixture of both?

The French Revolution left France utter chaos. The economy and country were both spiraling downwards out of control, and the Directory was doing little to get the country in check. When Napoleon took power, he was able to rebuild France in around a year while also saving his country from being crushed by European monarchies. For example, Napoleon stabilized and modernized the French way of living by setting tariffs on imports and stabilizing currency, all the while creating more jobs for the French people and lowering food costs. A new banking system was introduced to stabilize the economy, and France was slowly returning to peace. All French children were offered schooling, providing them with tools to help the future of themselves and their country, seemingly actions of a dutiful hero. Although Napoleon saved the French economy from crashing, he did this as a dictator, halting France’s development as a free republic. Harsh censorship rules were placed and all ideas against Napoleon were silenced. His strict, controlling dictator ruling style and disastrous campaigns rubbished key values of the Fre