Chapter 267 Napoleon’s Legacy

Author: Seven Years Period

Chapter 267 Napoleon’s Legacy

To a certain extent, the establishment of the July Monarchy was due to the departure of Napoleon Bonaparte and the collapse of the First French Empire, which brought this European hegemon to its bottom.

The lack of security and pride brought by political strongmen forced the French to pin their hopes for national rejuvenation on the Orleans family, a branch of the Bourbon dynasty that once brought France to glory.

For example, if the Orleans Dynasty was a religion supported by the people, then Louis Philippe would be the high priest at the altar.

Although twenty-five years have passed since the war that lasted for more than ten years on the European continent, the entire Napoleon family has already left France, and the emperor's body is still stranded on St. Helena Island, but the French have no regard for this Corsi

Marie Claire's admiration and love have not diminished at all.

This made Louis Philippe, who thought he was superior to his predecessors, felt it was very unfair. He had obviously accomplished a great feat that Napoleon could not do in his lifetime (conquering Spain), but he still lived in his shadow. He escorted Napoleon's ashes back to

Paris has even become a daily life for Bonapartists.

These people hold public events every month near the Palais Bourbon or in the streets and alleys of Paris to announce their presence.

Even today, after Louis Philippe won the Spanish Civil War and returned French power to North America, Bonapartists will still compare him with Napoleon.

"Well, gentlemen, I would like to announce to you that I have summoned the British Ambassador and asked him to convey to his government a request of mine - that the body of Napoleon Bonaparte be returned to Paris. Also, I am preparing to have it returned to Paris.

Buried in Les Invalides by the Seine."

When Louis-Philippe announced the news in the Tuileries Palace, everyone present fell silent. They all looked at each other, trying to see whether they heard correctly from the other's face.

Seeing the surprised expressions on everyone's face, Louis Philippe had to repeat his decision once again. However, the hall still did not burst into warm applause. On the contrary, it was filled with surprise, fear, uneasiness, and anger.

However, there was still a minor trouble at this time, Louis Bonaparte, who later became Napoleon III. Louis Bonaparte was at odds with his uncle's brothers, and even his uncle Joseph looked down upon him, not to mention Napoleon.

The other two brothers.

Of course, the French government has not forgotten this young pretender to the throne.

They succeeded in wooing an illegitimate son of Napoleon, Count Leon. Like his biological mother, this man was very vain and was not popular with Napoleon Bonaparte and his relatives, so that they lived in poverty all the time.

Life.

Later, an official employed by the French government told the Count of Leon that as long as he could fight Louis Bonaparte in a duel, no matter whether he won or lost, he would get a commission of 100,000 francs.

Soon the down-and-out prince set off for London, where he not only publicly humiliated Louis Napoleon, but also defamed his identity and challenged him to a duel.

The French government's purpose in doing this is actually very simple, that is, to discredit Napoleon Bonaparte's nephew. So whether he accepts the duel or not, the result is not important.

If Louis Bonaparte refused, his political influence would evaporate. If he accepted, he would not escape the reputation of fratricide, whether he killed the other party or himself.

But sometimes, history is so wonderful. Louis Napoleon did not want to participate in this duel, but people around him told him that this duel was more important than his life. He had no choice but to accept it.

On the day of the duel, both Louis Napoleon and Leon were filled with a deep sense of fear. At this time, the former began to try to persuade the latter not to kill each other and smear the family, and at the same time asked him whether he was coerced by outsiders or whether

Bewitch.

After hearing this, the latter confessed to the French government in one breath, and also mentioned the one hundred thousand franc transaction. Since he could not get the approval of Napoleon's family, Leon could not enjoy an annuity. After Napoleon's death, he lost his financial resources.

, so he took the risk.

"Listen, I'll give you 150,000 francs to give up the duel."

"I think my reputation is worth two hundred thousand."

"Okay, it's a deal!"

Thus, the farce came to an end. It was the ability shown in handling this matter that earned Louis Napoleon the superficial recognition of his uncle's brothers, who went to the same theater together to show that their relationship was harmonious.

Soon after, Louis Napoleon decided to launch another uprising in response to the activities of Louis Philippe's government. He chose the French seaside city of Boulogne, where only 250 soldiers were stationed.

Captain Aradniz was a typical Bonapartist and immediately agreed with Louis Napoleon's plan after meeting him.

Louis Napoleon's plan was to march directly to Paris after taking control of Boulogne until he overthrew the July Monarchy. To this end, he recruited some veterans and unemployed workers, and at the same time made contact with the Polish Nationalist Army.

At this point, the number of people who have conspired with him has reached 500. However, this mixed group composed of French and Polish people does not understand the ins and outs of the entire plan, and they do not even know such simple things as when they will set off or where they will go.

However, the details are not known.

Louis Napoleon naturally understood this principle, so he borrowed 500,000 francs from a British official very early, and wrote IOUs to 56 people, raising a total of 1.02 million francs.

As for the weapons needed for the uprising, they were imported from the United Kingdom, including Brown Bess rifled rifles and Birmingham steel knives. Flags and military uniforms were purchased from Paris. In order to expand his influence, he even ordered a hand-operated printing press.

Used to print and distribute leaflets.

On August 5, 1840, five carts of food, twenty war horses, two boxes of military uniforms, three carts of weapons and thousands of leaflets were transported into Boulogne. Louis Napoleon swaggered into the local military camp, but was

The lazy soldiers ignored it until Lieutenant Aradniz gathered them together.

He delivered an impassioned speech to the soldiers, but unfortunately it did not resonate with those "short-sighted people", so he had no choice but to promise them huge profits, money, medals, and official positions.

While the soldiers were cheering and celebrating, someone suddenly shouted "The gendarmes are coming!" The scene suddenly became chaotic. Louis Napoleon and his followers started shooting in panic, wounding many soldiers. Then the soldiers

They began to fight back, and the uprising failed.

At this time, Louis Napoleon could only choose to flee to the seaside, and then board a ship there to leave France. However, they encountered the French army halfway, who did not have the slightest sympathy and opened fire on them.

After fifteen minutes of fighting, three conspirators were shot dead and one person drowned in the river. However, there was still a distance of five kilometers from the sea. Louis Napoleon, who had no choice but to surrender, had no choice but to surrender.

He imitated his uncle's actions and ended up failing again. The time (3 years), money (about 2 million francs) and energy he had spent on it all seemed absurd at this moment.

Louis Philippe seemed very satisfied with this victory. He believed that the Corsican nephew failed because the soldiers loved him more than Napoleon Bonaparte.

However, the actual situation was that the soldier who shouted "The military police are coming" was only 14 years old at the time. He did so out of curiosity and play.

But unfortunately, he became the only French soldier killed in the battle. A stray bullet hit his eye and ended his life.

After the incident, Louis Philippe decided to put this restless pretender to the throne in prison to avoid future troubles. At this moment, he believed that he had completed the first step in becoming the Emperor of France.

Afterwards, he would personally proclaim Napoleon Emperor of France and take over his sword and scepter.
Chapter completed!