Few individuals have had more impact on history than Adolf Hitler and Napoleon Bonaparte. These two historical figures have managed to stamp their names in the pages of history for their successful military tactics and their infamous actions such as mass murders, holocaust, pestilence and many more. Even though they were born in two diametrically opposite eras, their perspective on things such as indifference towards human lives; shrewdness and resourcefulness; attitudes towards fellow peers at school were very much alike. Even though their process of rise to power was very different, it was unquestionably their great abilities of leadership that helped them to achieve the status as the head of their nations.
It can be traced to Hitler's and Bonaparte's childhood that they started developing traits which would mould them to what they would be in the future. They both shared that arrogant, bossy attitude laying down orders to classmates at school. They would demonstrate exceptional leadership abilities which helped them to be a popular figure among the students. Another reason
for their popularity was because of their brilliant academic performances. Hitler did extremely well at primary school and it appeared he had a bright academic future ahead of him. Bonaparte was not behind when it came to studies, especially in mathematics and as a result of which he was awarded a scholarship to Brienne in Champagne, a royal preparatory school. But Hitler after finishing primary school could not repeat his success in the secondary school and crumbled to the pressure of higher studies. He then quit school and this decision had serious consequences as he was later rejected admission to two Art academies. Disappointed, he escaped to Munich and started to become the Adolf Hitler that we know of.
It is very obvious that without his great oratory skills, Hitler would not have emerged from his prior quite, anonymity state. He had developed his oratory skills from his school days and later honed it to such a level that he could make the audience in a state of near hysteria and do whatever he suggested them to do. Because of his skills, he could start his political career as the leader of the Nazi Party. This was similar tactics that Bonaparte used to spread fear among onlookers. But whereas Hitler's rages were deliberate and rehearsed, Bonaparte sometimes lost his temper, and usually regretted it.
But Napoleon's rise to power was solely based on his abilities to win wars than his oratory skills. After the French Revolution, France was without a leader which left her vulnerable to attacks from formidable opponents, especially Great Britain. Realizing the opportunities to rise to power, Bonaparte displayed exceptional military abilities at wars and helped to win several of them as well. His first military success came at Toulon and after which he was directly promoted to brigadier, skipping the ranks of major and colonel.
He also owed his military career to luck as he had taken into consideration to going to Turkey after he had failed to get the ear of politicians as a military advisor, and from that spring to a top command. But with the turn of luck, he was given the second-in-command and with it an effective control of the regular units in Paris. But Hitler did not enjoy such good fortunes but he had to use his cunningness to rise to power. He had to make several compromises and polices that would help him to get the support of the people and win elections. After he was released from prison in 1924, he found the German society had changed drastically and was indifferent to his extremist image. So, he attempted to play down his extremist image and was willing to compete with other parties in democratic elections. While he made policies that were appealing to the working class in Germany to get their support, he also convinced Industrialists that the policies such as redistribution of wealth, which he had promised to the working class, would not be implemented once he had gained power, thus gaining their support as well.
Hitler's and Bonaparte's view of their subsequent countries was very different. Hitler was very passionate about Germany. Even though he was an Austrian, he rejected the idea of fighting for Austria and instead volunteered for the German army, a decision which turned out to be a good one. The outbreak of the First World War was a chance for him to be involved in proving that Germany was superior to other European countries. This sentiment displays his patriotism and great devotion for the welfare of Germany. When he came into power, he proved his devotion by introducing policies that helped to reduce the number of people unemployed in Germany. His policies also helped Germany to develop the most efficient road system in Europe. A great lover of car himself, he abolished taxation on new cars.
