"Napoleonic plan" - the meaning of phraseology and features of use

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:43

The funny idiom "Napoleonic plans" causes a smile, often pronounced in a joking manner. And meanwhile, there is nothing funny behind these words. Giving them a harmless meaning is at least disrespectful to our ancestors. And this expression can not be called good. To understand the true meaning of the phraseologism "Napoleonic plans", it is enough to turn to history. And, of course, to agree that good deeds are not done by the hand of a tyrant, they cannot be mixed with blood. Wrong ingredients, not at all.

Promising youth

Napoleon Bonaparte is a person who left his bright mark on history, a Corsican (1769, the island of Corsica), one of thirteen children of a poor family, although his father belonged to a noble family. The young man was easily given studies and military affairs, to which he devoted his whole life. From a young age, Napoleon's idols were Roman generals and emperors, as well as the legendary Greek - Alexander the Great (Macedonian).

We will not describe his entire path to the top of his career, it has been written about in abundance. Coststo notice that it is difficult to call this path thorny, no matter what the historians of France say, trying to give this portrait a special brilliance and magnificence. Eka is unseen, history knows much more difficult and steep ascents to the heights of Olympus. In 1795, Napoleon - the commander of the rear troops. The next year - the commander of the army (Italian Corps). And it swirled, it started. Countries flashed by, victorious marches in Italy and Venice, the shame of Austria on the battlefield, Egypt … In Egypt, however, it didn’t work out.

Live to rule

The young commander did not give in to despair, he did not think for a long time about what to do next, too. And according to the traditions of the literary genre, he staged a coup d'état in France (1799). Napoleon takes up the reins of power.

It must be admitted that his reign was not mediocre. With a hard fist, he immediately, and not in stages, carries out a number of important state transformations. Austria and Prussia, tremble and bow! The new broom sweeps the feudal foundations. Let it be so! Napoleon was able to impose his order on countries under the wing and gaze of the French eagle.

It would seem that live and be happy. No, it won't be enough. Indefatigable ambitions, enticing Egypt, the desire to subdue Bengal and India, the desire to do what was beyond the power of the Great Alexander himself, "unwashed" Russia, in no hurry to provide real assistance in achieving what was planned. Personal troubles with a barren lover Josephine. Refusals of Russian princesses (sisters of Alexander the Great) with an insulting remark from one of them, Katerina: “Better for a stoker than for this Corsican.”

All this angered and infuriated the islander who rules France. Napoleon needed an heir, and French society needed blood. In those days, the path from a misdemeanor to a fire or block was measured in one step. It doesn't even matter what the head is covered with, the royal crown or the dirty cap of the peasant.

The day came when the bright head of Bonaparte settled the idea to visit Russia in order to admire the beauties of the Russian land. This day can be safely designated as a memorable day. Day of the collapse of Napoleon. After all, he decided to do this hike with a large army, and even without issuing visas. Is it a joke, 400 thousand accompanying people? But first things first.

Modern Napoleon

Napoleon has become a real brand. His name is actively used by businessmen around the world. Cakes and cognac, fashion lines of shoes and perfumes, souvenirs and company names - where you just can not meet Napoleon. In every city, in every region, in every country. “They untwisted the peasant to the fullest, promoted it,” as if our Russian satirist Mikhail Zadornov, a special “connoisseur” of everything Western and American, said. This article, of course, is not a pretext for disputes, it is not even about politics. But in order to understand the meaning of the expression "Napoleonic plan", it is useful to make one more digression from the topic.

An essential retreat

Napoleon's personality has become a source of pride and adoration for the French. Calling him a compatriot, the Great Frenchman, this warlike nation, at the very least, indicates ignorance of key points in history, or thatFrance has always sought to appropriate all the best and useful, to seize, enslave, plunder and export. By any means and methods. These lines can cause some bewilderment: How so? France? Warlike? These lovely people and appropriate? Somehow it doesn't fit.

Everything fits together and is explained. You just need to take off your rose-colored glasses and turn to history. The modern decent image of France, however, as well as the whole of prosperous Europe, is nothing but the result of endless centuries of aggression, bloody wars and aggressive policies. Numerous colonies covered by the mask of a protectorate, shameless interference in the life of numerous countries, the imposition of their own norms and rules, other less civilized methods leading columns of peaceful and defenseless people to the stake or block. And it would be fine if it only concerned strangers, but also numerous fellow tribesmen, at times, washed themselves with blood and gave their souls to God for insignificant reasons.

The French should learn history. It contains all the answers

By the way, Napoleon could just as well become the Great Russian. If not for one but. The ambitious young man initially made plans to join the Russian army. And the occasion was right. In 1788, the Russian commander of the corps (expeditionary) Zaborovsky visited Livorno in order to recruit volunteers for the war with Turkey.

A graduate of the Paris Military School, who graduated with honors, volunteered. Acute need pushed the young man to any military deed. His family by this timewas already in poverty, having buried the head of the family.

Napoleonic plan was not destined to come true. The reason is all in the same ambitions of Napoleon. The Russian tsarist decree stated that foreign legionnaires could be recruited with a lower rank. The vain future commander could not agree to this.

His subsequent appeal personally to the head of the Russian commission on military affairs had no effect on the situation. The Russian army refused his services. The irritated Corsican with impudent speeches left the office, harboring anger and resentment. And it could be otherwise. The great "Frenchman" is the pride of France. What else can I say?

Ideologists will write off everything, this is their job

Modern European ideologists, following the path beaten by their predecessors, have succeeded in creating a mass of myths that have already become an axiom, replacing the concept of "atrocity" with "good", justifying the atrocities of their former rulers to their descendants for centuries to come, but why walk in circles, and current ones. The ideological machine clatters its wheels, rustles its gears, sparkles its indicators, and releases puffs of steam seven days a week, 24 hours a day. She contrives to find excuses for new facts of aggression, the destruction of entire third world states, the erasure of centuries-old foundations and traditions of small nations, the turning into ruins of historical monuments, the ruined lives of people who did not even care about well-fed Europe.

For controversy lovers and inquisitive minds

There will always be someone who wants to argue and cite, by the way,written precisely in old Europe, horror stories about Ivan the Terrible and Russian bloodsucking emperors. Words are empty if there are no figures and facts. As the Russian president recently said to the American journalist and NBC News host Megyn Kelly: "Where are the addresses, appearances, names?" Nevertheless, we will avoid discussions on this topic by sending inquisitive minds to the historical archives, advising them to delve into the numbers.

In one night, the European queen drowned so many of her subjects in blood that Ivan the Terrible becomes just an innocent baby. And as for the Russian “unwashedness”, at a time when in European countries courtiers openly relieved themselves in all palace corners, and streams of sewage and feces were seething along the city streets, in Russia people washed in baths and relieved themselves in toilets.

By the way, where did wide-brimmed hats come from? What purpose? Doesn't it say anything? That's right, in Mother Europe, in order to protect your head and, if possible, your expensive outfit from the rain of sewage spilled directly from the window of some European house. Europe has long been accustomed to comfort - why burden yourself with going outside when you can get rid of excess right out of the window?

The tale is a lie, but there is a hint in it…

Meanwhile, fine Europe understood and still understands only force. True, one must pay tribute to her well-developed intuition and historical memory. Martial ardor shyly hides in front of a strong opponent, capable of doing dental repairs and whipping up her hair.

It's time to return to the idiom "Napoleonic plan". Really,Napoleon's plans were great, with a long-term aim. Before the eyes of the commander was the empire of Alexander, the legendary Greek. He had already seen his triumphal procession through the conquered Egyptian, Bengal and Indian villages. But Bonaparte did not want to limit himself to this. In his cunning plans was the nearest neighbor.

As was usual in the good old Europe, the hospitable neighborhood was held together by vile adventures, intrigues, conspiracies and bloody skirmishes. Paying tribute to his time, Napoleon wanted to rid the British crown of excess burden, its colonies. He dreamed of bringing the English throne to his feet, undermining and destroying its economy, bled the army and navy of the British. Not a weak wish for a kind neighbor.

Initially, Napoleon tried to enlist the support of the Russian emperors. Under Paul the First, there was already an agreement on a joint campaign, but she was upset. Subsequently, Napoleon continued to persuade the already new Russian Tsar, Alexander, to his side. Let's skip all the details. The case ended with Russia independently embarking on the development of the Asian region. Moreover, in completely different ways. Instead of a brutal war, she offered India mutually beneficial cooperation and trade.

Should we talk about Napoleon's fit of rage after receiving such news? It remains to add personal insults to Russian eminent brides, and now the “braga is ripe”, the couples demand an exit. The already grandiose plan of Napoleon was replenished with another item - an “excursion” to Russia. It would be better for himI thought about shooting myself. This is the meaning of Napoleon's plans, as unrealizable, losing and dangerous. Voluntarily knocking on a bear's den, shouting threats and provoking a predator, that is still a gamble.

Hospitable Russia

Year 1812. The Russian people welcomed the dear French guests with an open mind. So "pleased" and so "treated" that only ten thousand battered and exhausted Napoleonic warriors returned from the campaign. Almost 400,000 troops have found eternal shelter in the Russian land.

Further fate of Bonaparte left much to be desired. Forced rejection of the "crown", shame and exile to the island of Elba. The islander was once again destined for an island.

The bright spark in Napoleon's fading career sky was 1815, when he found the strength and attempted to restore his former greatness. Gathering the army, he freely reached Paris itself. But it was not the same Napoleon. The “shark teeth” left in Russia could no longer serve the ambitions of their owner. The celebration was short-lived.

At the very first battle of Waterloo (in the same year 1815), Napoleon was completely defeated by the Duke of Wellington. As if in mockery, the villainous fate prepared Bonaparte's last refuge, a new island. As they say, if you were born a plowman, you will return to the plow. St. Helena was the end of his ambitions. Death was not long in coming. She knocked on Napoleon's door on the 5th of May, 1821.

The moral of that fable is this

Explain the meaning of the expression "Napoleonic plan" could be otherwise. Translate reasoning to modern life. Complain about everyday life, endless troubles and the fact that we are constantly building Napoleonic plans. But isn't it better to turn your eyes to history? The less often people turn their attention to historical events, the more mistakes they make in modern realities.

Man is undoubtedly changing. But what are these changes? Household improvements of existence. It all comes down to this. In general, how has he changed? The same wars, the same intrigues, deceit and meanness, violence and aggressive plans. Other methods? What about others? Other tools. More perfect, sophisticated. Everything else is the same. Can you tell me about international law? A counter question - is it being carried out? The paragraph about the ideological machine was not created by chance.

It's time to answer in one sentence the question - what does the Napoleonic plans mean? Making grand plans that never come true.

From greatness to ridicule

You can share the opinion about the greatness of this vain man, you can challenge it, but you can’t call Napoleon an ordinary person. Many literary works and films have been created about this man, even poems about Napoleonic plans have appeared.

He loved sparkling humor, he himself was the author of many expressions that have become winged and have survived to this day. For example, the expression: "in the knapsack of every soldier lies a marshal's baton."

Ambiguous attitudeto this Great "Frenchman". You can love and hate him, but life itself puts everything in its place. The lover of aphorisms and phraseological units himself became the object of these stable sayings. Not in the best light, by the way. The unrealistic plans of the commander became the interpretation of the term "Napoleonic plans".