The impact of Napoleon Bonaparte on the development of France has been the subject of a vast quantities of historical research. This research reveals Napoleon as an individual with complex motivations and personal struggles. He holds a place of honor in French history, but were his actions ultimately helpful or harmful?
In order to analyze his actions, students will create a timeline of Napoleon’s life that tries to answer the question: “Was Napoleon a Hero or a Villain?” The timeline must include:
The timeline should include 8-10 cells, but adjust accordingly for your needs. Use a color-coding system in the title text boxes to indicate whether you think Napoleon is being heroic (Blue), villainous (Red) or a combination of both (White).
Extended Activity
The storyboards that students just created can be used as the base for a persuasive essay. Students could also research the tomb of Napoleon. Students should use this research to address the question: “Why did the French people build a tomb of this scope to Napoleon?”
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a timeline of Napoleon's life and identify whether or not his actions make him a hero or a villain.