it at home. Eventually this ambition, along with his thirst for battle, led to his demise. On 6 April 1814 he abdicated after a crushing defeat by the British, Prussians and Russians. When he could have been satisfied with the expansions he had made and extending revolutionary principles to these areas, he instead went to war, in an attempt to spread the revolution even further.Of course, while acknowledging that Bonaparte was the consolidator of the revolution, it must be recognised that elements of the revolution suffered under his rule. Napoleon restored titles abolished by the revolution. For example, prince was reintroduced (1804), followed by duke (1806). These were given to ordinary people in recognition of service to the state. Many believed Napoleon was undermining the principle of equality and undoing the work of the revolution by establishing new nobility - the notables . It seemed Napoleon was creating a new social hierarchy based on service to the state. The introduction of the Legion of Honour was also regarded as a step towards the recreation of an aristocracy. However, Napoleon claimed that these honours merely marked distinguished careers. He believed that they re-enforced equality, showing how people of all economic means could be rewarded equally. He was levelling ranks by raising them not by lowering them, creating social equality.Historian Tom Holmeberg noted that many blame Napoleon for destroying the principle of liberty in France. However, in fact the revolutionaries themselves were never successful in attaining liberty during the revolution. Historian Albert Vandal stated that Bonaparte can be reproached for not having established liberty; he cannot be accused of having destroyed it, for the excellent reason that on his return from Egypt he did not find it anywhere in France. Nonetheless, it could never be a realistic aim of Napoleon to establish liberty while France was in chaos. He believed that liberty ...
