West European Studies

In the middle and late 18th century the United Kingdom was no doubt an economic giant in the western world compared to other countries. According to scholars a number of changes in the industrial and agricultural sector, gave her tremendous economic advantage. Historians agree that England was the first industrial nation. A number of reasons are therefore attributable to the emergence of England as an economic powerhouse. Firstly the agrarian revolution attributed to England, propelled her to the economic progress. Due to increased use of new farming methods, manure, fertilizers, new hybrid crops and animals through artificial insemination, agricultural production increased tremendously compared to other countries. Its the statement of historians that by 18th century British farmers were the most productive and efficient farmers of the century.

England is regarded as the architect or pioneer of industrialization. This is a period that led to widespread use of machine in the industrial and manufacturing sector. Basically its a period which enabled England to change from the traditional agrarian society to a more successful industrial economy based on capitalism. As a result of Agrarian revolution their was, enough supply of raw materials for industrial use, this led to increased production of manufactured goods resulting to increased trade. The British government policy of encouraging free trade, technological advancement through limited restrictions encouraged economic development. Of important are the inherent traits of the English people who are considered as commercial people

Politically the English people experienced a period of peace and stability. Given the history of Western Europe and America no other country experienced such period of peace characterized by liberty and fair laws as the English. (Baines, 1835).Thus as Baines (1835) quips as a result the manufacturing prosperity became deep rooted. Also the tremendous mighty of the English army especially in the seas gave it both political and military advantage over the others.

The debate over the greatness of napoleon has raged for long. In order to establish a true reflection of Napoleon, its important to note his upbringing, achievements and contributions to modern political and historical thinking.

A number of reasons make Napoleon one of the greatest general of all times. For instances his achievements can not be downplayed. Napoleon, born to a lower French class was able to ascend and became one of the greatest leaders of France, an achievement not achievable at the time. After conquering Egypt and Austria he returned to France where he staged a coup and became the emperor of France through a referendum.

He also became the ruler of Europe, a tremendous achievement, which Hitler never achieved. While still in war with Great Britain Napoleon together with his army staged the fastest march in world history and defeated an allied force of Austria and Russian  at the battle of Austerlitz despite being completely outnumbered,  becoming the undisputed ruler of Europe.

Another aspect of napoleon is his ability to win wars. Its known fact that he only lost one genuine fight of all the wars he had fought. Historians argue that his military strategy of conventional military ideas, gave him an upper hand over others, making his army lethal. Since he had great knowledge in artillery, he came up with an ingenious strategy, which involved the use artillery to support his infantry, he once said I have fought sixty battles and I have learned nothing which I had not known (McLynn, 145). Scholars coherently state that napoleon was a master of deception, and perhaps, his use of deception enabled him outsmart his enemies and often enabled him win wars. Carl von Clausewitz the renowned military strategist described napoleon as a genius in the organizational and operational art of war.    

Napoleon introduced the napoleon code. Which was a law book aimed at making the management of his vast empire simple. This has become the foundation of government laws in Europe. However, there are numerous Criticisms against him, for instance McLynn (1998), states He can be viewed as the man who set back European economic life (174).despite this criticism napoleon still remains an icon in modern political and cultural setting.

In essence the impossible achievements of Napoleon given the odds and the time make him the greatest general of all time. His greatness has been attested by the great English general Wellingtons. Once asked who had been the greatest general after the battle, replied In this age, in past ages, in any age, Napoleon.(Abbot, 161).

Toussaint-LOuverture. He was a Haitian who led the revolution against France
.The Bastille. Was a prison in France during the French Revolution.
Catherine II the Great. was a Russian empress from 1762-1796
Enlightened absolutism. This is a form of monarchy in which the enlightened influenced rulers decisions.

Natural rights. Are universal rights, which are not based on cultural or political laws of a given society.

French Parliaments. it was and is the legislative arm of government in France
Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen. It was a French revolutionary document, which defined the universal and individual rights of man.

Civil Constitution of the Clergy. It was a law passed in 1790 that merged the Roman Catholic Church and the French government. It gave the Roman church powers to influence the government.

The Jacobins. This was a radical revolutionary group in France that fought for removal of social class distinction.

Paris Commune. It was a short lived government in France that ruled before the split of anarchists and Marxists.

The Vendee. Its a department in the western central France region.
Reign of Terror and the guillotine. it was a period in France in which people were executed by the Jacobins using the guillotine

Treaty of Paris. It was a treaty sighed in 1783 between UK and US officially ending the American Revolution.

Civil code. this were form of laws established  during Napoleon time, which gave certain privileges and freedoms

Grand tours. It was a customary travel of the rich European men across Europe.
Balance of power. Its a situation in which there is stability and order between two conflicting forces.
 Joseph II he was a  roman emperor considered holy, who was the first ruler of the house of Lorraine
William pitt the elder he was the earl of Chatham, who lead Britain during the 7 year war
Committee of public  safety  it was the undisputed government of France during the reign of terror
 United kingdom its an island state ,comprising of great Britain some parts of Ireland island
Partition of Poland it was the dividing and sharing of Poland between Russia, Prussia and Austria.
War of Austrian succession this was a war fought from 1740-1748, siting the inability of Maria Theresa to rule after the death of the king.

Girondins and the Mountain this were a political faction in France during the French revolution.
The Hanoveriansthe Georges. This are derived from George who became the leader of the Great Britain after the death of Queen Anne. It refers to the other Georges of Hanover. There were other Georges who became king.

First Consul and Emperor. This title is often associated with emperor Napoleon emperor refers to the first male ruler.