Table of Contents

Points of Divergence : Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon I (born Napoleone di Buonaparte, later Napoleon Bonaparte) (15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821) was a French military and political leader who had a significant impact on modern European history. He was a general during the French Revolution, the ruler of France as First Consul of the French Republic, Emperor of the French, King of Italy, Mediator of the Swiss Confederation and Protector of the Confederation of the Rhine.

Napoleon developed relatively few military innovations, though his placement of artillery into batteries and the elevation of the army corps as the standard all-arms unit have become accepted doctrines in virtually all large modern armies. He drew his best tactics from a variety of sources and scored major victories with a modernized and reformed French army. His campaigns are studied at military academies all over the world and he is widely regarded as one of history's greatest commanders. Napoleon is also remembered for establishing the Napoleonic code, which laid the bureaucratic foundations for the modern French state.


Napoleon's birth and early life (1769 - 1793)

A discussion about if Napoleon was born in the USA

The possible course of French history if Napoleon was not born

WI Napoleon dies as an infant ? - The consensus is that the whole shape of the 19th and 20th centuries is radically different.

A similar discussion to the previous one with an emphasis on the early 1800s

A third discussion with a focus on the French Revolution

Why Napoleon would not have made such an impact if he was in the Navy

Napoleon killed after the 1st French Revolutionary War

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From the Revolution to the Empire (1794 - 1804)

If Napoleon had fought in Ireland instead of Egypt

Napoleon is assassinated before he becomes Emperor

Napoleon dies sometime after the Treaty of Amiens

What if Napoleon did not sell Louisiana ?

Plausibility check: Napoleon outlaws slavery

Best time for Napoleon to die while in power ?

Napoleon dies in 1802

Historical question: Why did people embrace Napoleon as emperor so soon after fighting bloody revolution

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From Empire to Waterloo (1805 - 1815)

WI Napoleon does not invade Spain ?

WI the British had fielded larger armies against Napoleon ?

WI Napoleon died shortly after Tilsit ?

WI : Napoleon dies at Austerlitz

How can Napoleon invade England ?

WI Napoleon eradicated Prussia ?

Could Napoleon Bonaparte have dismantled Prussia and the Austrian Empire ?

WI Napoleon allied with Prussia

Napoleon defeated earlier

WI : Napoleon and Josephine have a son

A Different Napoleon II.

Napoleon dead before defeat

POD and timeline ideas for Napoleon's death at the height of his power

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Waterloo

Napoleon wins at Waterloo

What if Blucher died before the Battle of Waterloo ?

What if Berthier was not pushed out of a window and was present at Waterloo ?

Napoleon makes sure he has the right personnel in the Battle of Waterloo

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The Fall of Napoleon

Napoleon escapes and goes to America

WI Napoleon committed suicide on Elba ?

WI Napoleon had not escaped from his exile on Elba ?

No 100 Day Empire, Napoleon exiled to Saint Helena already in 1814

Napoleon escapes from Saint Helena (1)

Napoleon escapes from Saint Helena (2)

WI Napoleon rescued from Saint Helena ?

Could Napoleon realistically escape to South America and become a major player in its struggle for independence ?

How would Napoleon's life have been had he escaped to America post-Waterloo ?

WI the British exiled Napoleon to Australia ?

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See Also

Points of Divergence : Napoleonic Wars

French Points of Divergence


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Points of Divergence Main Directory