Napoleonic propaganda

Napoleonic propaganda

During his rise to power and throughout his reign, Napoleon not only benefitted from circumstance but also cultivated his own image through the use of propaganda. Napoleon excelled at garnering public support and capitalizing on his victories to convey a persona associated with success and heroism.[1] He utilized propaganda in a wide range of media including theater, art, newspapers and bulletins to “promote the precise image he desired.”[2] Napoleon’s bulletins from the battlefield were published in newspapers and were well read throughout the country.[3] He used these publications to exaggerate his victories and spread his glorified interpretation of these successes throughout France.[1]

Contents

Medallions

In addition to more standard methods of propaganda, such as the press, Napoleon capitalized on the popularity of medallions for his own purposes. Specifically, Napoleon used medallions as tools to promote his desired image both before and after he became Emperor. In the end, he commissioned more medals than Louis XV and Louis XVI combined.[4] Of particular importance was Napoleon’s first set of medallions, the “Five Battles” Series, produced to commemorate his victories during the first Italian campaign.

Five Battles Series

The Mellisimo-Dego medallion features Hercules holding a club and the Hydra of Lerna’s head. In the other hand Hercules is holding a torch of blazing fire, ready to slaughter this beast. Around the borders of the medals reads “Bataille De Millesimo Combat de Dego.”[5] The Hercules figure on these coins represents victory but was also a symbol chosen by the French Republic to represent the nation, thereby connecting Napoleon to both triumph and France.[6] Click here to view this medallion.

The Po-Adda-Minico medal depicts Napoleon Bonaparte leading his soldiers across the Adda on the bridge at Lodi.[7] This medallion glorifies the battle in which most of Lombardy, an Italian province, was captured by the French army. Subsequently, Napoleon was named General-in-chief at Milan, the Lombard capital.[8] The coin celebrates not only Napoleon’s victory but his ascension to greater power. Click here to view this medallion.

The Battle of Castiglione and the combat at Peschiera medallion pays tribute to Napoleon’s victories in Italy. Napoleon faced an Austrian army in both locations and defeated them, strengthening the French Army’s position in the region.[9] The coin displays three naked warriors, two locked in combat while the third lies slain on the ground. Of the two living figures, one, representing Napoleon’s army, stands ready to strike the final blow to the vanquished Austrians.[10] In some versions Napoleon’s name is inscribed on the coin connecting Bonaparte to the victory and promoting his own personal image.[11] Click here to view this medallion.

The Capitulation of Mantua coin commemorates the capture of the Northern Italian city by Napoleon. The medal depicts a woman handing the keys of the city to a Roman warrior. On the reverse, ‘A L’Armée D’Italie Victorieuse’ is inscribed in addition to Napoleon’s name on some editions of the coin.[12] Symbols from antiquity were used throughout the revolutionary period to tie the new French Republic to the glory of Ancient Rome. By using Roman soldiers on the medallions, Napoleon not only connects himself to the grandeur of ancient times, but also promotes his image as a victorious leader of Revolutionary France. Click here to view this medallion.

The Tagliomento-Trieste medallion immortalizes Napoleon’s 1797 crossing of the Tagliomento River and the capture of Trieste. The medal shows a god-like figure reclining near a river while a charging army rushes a fleeing group of men. The attacking army is headed by a man on horseback, presumably Napoleon.[13] Like the other medallions, one version has Napleon’s name inscribed on the side.[14] The medallion bolsters Napoleon’s image by directly connecting him to yet another victory. Click here to view this medallion.

References

  1. ^ a b Hanley, The Genesis of Napoleonic Propaganda, 23.
  2. ^ Hanley, The Genesis of Napoleonic Propaganda, 141.
  3. ^ Censer and Hunt, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, 141.
  4. ^ Hanley, The Genesis of Napoleonic Propaganda, 144.
  5. ^ Laskey, A Description of the Series of Medals, 3.
  6. ^ Hunt, Politics, Culture, and Class in the French Revolution, 94.
  7. ^ Hanley, The Genesis of Napoleonic Propaganda, 151.
  8. ^ Hanley, The Genesis of Napoleonic Propaganda, 152.
  9. ^ Hanley, The Genesis of Napoleonic Propaganda, 156
  10. ^ http://blackwatch.napoleonicmedals.org/Pre_Consulate/M0593.htm
  11. ^ Hanley, The Genesis of Napoleonic Propaganda, 155.
  12. ^ http://blackwatch.napoleonicmedals.org/Pre_Consulate/M0691.htm
  13. ^ http://blackwatch.napoleonicmedals.org/Pre_Consulate/M0673.htm
  14. ^ Hanley, The Genesis of Napoleonic Propaganda, 158.

Works Cited

Censer, Jack R. and Lynn Hunt (2001). Liberty, Equality, Fraternity: Exploring the French Revolution. University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press. ISBN 0271020873.

Hanley, Wayne (2005). The Genesis of Napoleonic Propaganda 1796-1799. New York: Columbia University Press. ISBN 0231124562.

Hunt, Lynn (1984). Politics, Culture, and Class in the French Revolution. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press. ISBN 0520052048.

http://blackwatch.napoleonicmedals.org/Contents/Contents.htm

Further reading

Ellis, Geoffrey. (1997) Napoleon. (London: Longman).

Laskey, Captain John C. (1818) A Description of the Series of Medals Struck at the National Medal Mint by Order of Napoleon Bonaoparte commemorating the Most Remarkable Battles and Events During his Dynasty. London: Blackhorse Court.

Lyon, Martyn. (1994) Napoleon Bonaparte and the Legacy of the French Revolution. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press).

Holtman, Robert. (1950). Napoleonic Propaganda. (Baton Rouge: Louisana State University Press.)


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Napoleonic toys — are children s toys, which were made starting during the early 19th century in Europe, which featured the likeness of Napoleon I of France, often in the manner of a caricature. Contents 1 Image 2 Toys 3 Significance …   Wikipedia

  • Napoleon — For other uses, see Napoleon (disambiguation). Napoleon I …   Wikipedia

  • Napoleon I of France — Infobox French Royalty|monarch name=Napoleon I title=The Emperor of the French King of Italy Mediator of the Swiss Confederation Protector of the Confederation of the Rhine caption=Napoleon by Jacques Louis David (1812) reign=20 March 1804–6… …   Wikipedia

  • Napoleon I — (Napoleon Bonaparte) ( the Little Corporal ) 1769 1821, French general born in Corsica: emperor of France 1804 15. * * * ▪ emperor of France Introduction French in full  Napoléon Bonaparte , original Italian  Napoleone Buonaparte , byname  the… …   Universalium

  • French Campaign in Egypt and Syria — This article is about the land campaign. For the naval campaign and wider strategic setting, see Mediterranean campaign of 1798. Egyptian Campaign Part of the French Revolutionary Wars …   Wikipedia

  • Heinrich von Kleist — Born Bernd Heinrich Wilhelm von Kleist 18 October 1777 Frankfurt (Oder), Margraviate of Brandenburg, Holy Roman Empire Died 18 November 1811 …   Wikipedia

  • Italy — /it l ee/, n. a republic in S Europe, comprising a peninsula S of the Alps, and Sicily, Sardinia, Elba, and other smaller islands: a kingdom 1870 1946. 57,534,088; 116,294 sq. mi. (301,200 sq. km). Cap.: Rome. Italian, Italia. * * * Italy… …   Universalium

  • United Kingdom — a kingdom in NW Europe, consisting of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: formerly comprising Great Britain and Ireland 1801 1922. 58,610,182; 94,242 sq. mi. (244,100 sq. km). Cap.: London. Abbr.: U.K. Official name, United Kingdom of Great… …   Universalium

  • Europe, history of — Introduction       history of European peoples and cultures from prehistoric times to the present. Europe is a more ambiguous term than most geographic expressions. Its etymology is doubtful, as is the physical extent of the area it designates.… …   Universalium

  • Modern history — Modern and Modern Age redirect here. For other uses, see Modern (disambiguation) and Modern Age (disambiguation). Human history This box: view · talk · …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”