Research proposal on the Napoleonic period
Here are my questions for my thesis and text evidence:
What Led to the French Revolution?
How Did Napoleon Start the War?
How did the Napoleonic period affect the world today?
Title: Revolution, War, and Impact: Exploring the Napoleonic Era
Introduction:
The Napoleonic period, spanning from 1799 to 1815, marked a significant era of political, social, and military upheaval in Europe. The French Revolution, which began in 1789, paved the way for Napoleon Bonaparte's rise to power and his subsequent military campaigns that changed the landscape of Europe. This research proposal aims to explore three key questions related to the Napoleonic period: 1) What led to the French Revolution?, 2) How did Napoleon start the war?, and 3) How did the Napoleonic period affect the world today? By examining various historical sources, analyzing scholarly articles, and utilizing primary text evidence, this research paper seeks to provide an in-depth understanding of the Napoleonic period's origins and its lasting legacy.
Research Questions:
1) What led to the French Revolution?
- Social inequality within the three Estates
- Economic crisis: debt, taxation, and the failure of financial reforms
- Influence of Enlightenment ideas
- The role of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette
- Impact of the American Revolution
2) How did Napoleon start the war?
- Coup d'état of 18 Brumaire (1799) and Napoleon's rise to power
- The creation of the French Consulate and Napoleon's military reforms
- Napoleon's ambitions and foreign policy
- Formation of the First Coalition and the start of the Napoleonic Wars
- The role of nationalism and revolutionary fervor in fueling the wars
3) How did the Napoleonic period affect the world today?
- Napoleonic Code and its influence on modern legal systems
- The spread of nationalism and its effects on the formation of nation-states
- The lasting impact of the Napoleonic Wars on the European alliance system
- The consequences of the Congress of Vienna and the rise of the balance of power
- The exploration of how the Napoleonic period has shaped contemporary perceptions of war, conquest, and empire-building
Methodology:
A comprehensive literature review will be conducted to examine the research questions outlined in this proposal. Primary sources, such as official documents, letters, and speeches from the Napoleonic period, will be analyzed to gain a deeper understanding of the historical context and the perspectives of those involved in the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. Additionally, secondary sources, such as scholarly articles, books, and academic journals, will be utilized to examine the key factors that led to the French Revolution, Napoleon's role in starting the war, and the lasting legacy of the Napoleonic period. Furthermore, this research paper will implement a historical comparative approach, as well as a qualitative analysis of the text evidence.
Conclusion:
The Napoleonic period serves as an essential era of study for understanding the origins of the modern world. By researching the causes of the French Revolution, Napoleon's role in the outbreak of continental wars, and the effects of the Napoleonic period on contemporary society, this research paper will contribute to the existing body of historical knowledge and foster more nuanced discussions on the topics of revolution, war, and global impact.