WI Napoleon doesn't become Emperor?

He remains Consul and the French Republic survives. Would it be easier or more difficult for him to win in the end? I can't help but think that in the end, this was a major factor contributing to his defeat- with a republic he had a blank check to recreate Europe in the image of republicanism, no need to bow down to history and/or tradition, and the liberated countries would be inherently stronger and more stable ruled by its own citizens rather than by upstart monarchs with little legitimacy (enemies to both the republicans and the monarchists, loyal only to Napoleon).
 
On the other hand: As a consul hr would constantly have to defend his authority against 'pure' republicans going : 'Hey, you know, no consul of olds ever behaved like this. You're acting more like -you know- an emperor".
 
If you handwave his monstrous ego, you can almost accomplish anything. But it still leaves you the dilemmas of Western Germany, Russia, the UK, Demark's and Sweden's mutual hostility, Italian disunity, and so much of Europe still being occupied by the Ottomans.

The UK and Russia will never make a lasting peace with Napoleon, even as a total Republican. Perhaps even more so, as the institution of republicanism will be so hostile to them in the dawn of the 19th century.

I'd like to know what answers people have here as to how to handle the other problems I've listed above?
 
Many European intellectuals loved General Bonaparte - and they accepted him as consul too. They even accepted the idea of a republican dictatorship, where, like in the ancient Roman republic, one man saved the state from a deadly peril (everbody knew that the French directoire had BIG problems) - but only a republican dictatorship.

The problem with the Empire francais was that Napoleon got rid of his last friends in 1804. The conservatives and royalists hated him anyway - but the coronation alienated also most of the liberals and republicans of Europe.

The thing is: either the revolution is mondial, or the revolution is not. Austria, Great Britain and Russia will continue to fight against France (against a radical republic as against a consular regime or an empire) until their death: they have opposed goals and different economic and political interests. To win, both the Directory and Napoleon have to turn GB, Austria, Prussia, Russia and Spain into republics (or to install French dynasties).
 
Many European intellectuals loved General Bonaparte - and they accepted him as consul too. They even accepted the idea of a republican dictatorship, where, like in the ancient Roman republic, one man saved the state from a deadly peril (everbody knew that the French directoire had BIG problems) - but only a republican dictatorship.

The problem with the Empire francais was that Napoleon got rid of his last friends in 1804. The conservatives and royalists hated him anyway - but the coronation alienated also most of the liberals and republicans of Europe.

The thing is: either the revolution is mondial, or the revolution is not. Austria, Great Britain and Russia will continue to fight against France (against a radical republic as against a consular regime or an empire) until their death: they have opposed goals and different economic and political interests. To win, both the Directory and Napoleon have to turn GB, Austria, Prussia, Russia and Spain into republics (or to install French dynasties).
Why did those same country more or less accept Napoleon III some 50 years later?
A more reasonable Consult/General Bonaparte might receive the same treatment.

Of course, reasonable and Napoleon are usually 2 words you don't see in the same sentence. :p
 
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