well liked by his fellow officers because he was short, spoke with an Italian accent, and had little money and a hungry aggressive attitude. Napoleon spent little time with his regiment. He was more concerned with trying to free his homeland of Corsica, which had been taken with force by France. After being commissioned his father died, and he was forced to provide for his family. Napoleon spent the next seven years reading the works of the philosophers, and educating himself in military matters by studying the campaigns of the great military leaders of the past. The French Revolution and the European war that followed broadened his sights and presented him with new opportunities. Napoleon was a supporter of the French Revolution. He went back and forth between Paris and Ajaccio, working for the Republic. Napoleon rose quickly through the ranks and became a captain in 1792. In 1793, Corsica revolted against the Republic, and Napoleon's family had to Flee to France. The Republic was in danger. France was at war with Austria, Prussia, England, Holland, and Spain. There was a revolt in western France, and there was a great need for good officers. At the age of 25, only one year after becoming captain, Napoleon was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. He was given command of the artillery at Toulon, and in December of that same year, the French forced the English out of Toulon. In August of 1794, Napoleon was arrested because he had been a supporter of Maximilien Rosbespierre. He was accused of treason. Although he was released, his career seemed to be over. In October of 1795, the government was threatened with a revolt in Paris. Paul Barras, commander of the home forces, appointed Napoleon to defend the capital. Napoleon massed men and artillery in Paris The attack consisted of 30,000 national guards was repelled by his men. 200 men were killed on each side, but he had saved France from civil war. Napoleon saved the national conven...
