On Military Motivation In The Armies Of Napoleonic France

From the end of the 18th century to the early of the 19th century, the armies of France influenced deeply by the collapse of the ancient regime and the rise of the French Revolution. Important changes happened in the conscription and the formation of the French army. This change promoted the emerging of Napoleon’s military dictatorship. After the 18 Brumaire, on the basis of this change, Napoleon became his reform about the French army. The most representative reformation is the Military Motivation of the armies of Napoleonic France.This dissertation analyzes the Military Motivation through mainly three sections:The first section reviews the evolution of the French Army in the end of the 18th century and the early of the 19th century. In the age of the ancient regiment, Mercenary Army occupied the main position in the formation of French Army; after the happening of the French Revolution, the French First Republic made beneficial reformations on the conscription and formation of the army. Then in the age of Napoleonic France, the French army changed with new situations.The second section is the main part of this dissertation, it analyzes the Military Motivation through four points:the festivals and ceremonies of the Napoleon’s Army, the material and promoting motivation of the Napoleon’s Army, the Honorary Awarding system of the Napoleonic France, and Napoleonic Written and Print Media. This Military Motivation ranges from material to spiritual aspects, consist with the facts that Napoleonic France confronted.The third section evaluates the military motivation of Napoleon’s military. This Military Motivation arouses the "enterprising spirit" in the hearts of the French youth. It plays a significant role in shaping the military’s loyalty to Napoleon, changing the formation of society. It also promoted the process of nationalism in Modern France. This military motivation also learned by other overlords in Europe.