Here's a question from my AP Euro book...your opinions.

[Azndude2190]

There is an old question: " Do the times make the man, or does the man make the time?"

Here's the actual question asked from my book:
In your opinion,was Napoleon the creator of or the creation of his times?

I'm stuck on this.

 

[mryellow2]

It's an opinion piece. No right or wrong answer. Just back up your position with supporting facts and reasoning.

 

[Azndude2190]

Okay....but just out of curousity whats yours?

 

[Screech]

The AP people love Napoleon because you can argue various points about him. Was he conservative or revolutionary? creator of, or created from, the times? etc.

I would say it depends on the time period. Around 1800, right after he had taken power, that was really the result of the French revolution up to that point which had gone from, (very bad generalizations) republic => radical republic/executions (Robespierre) => Directory. Once Napoleon forced universal conscription and started taking over Europe (or trying to, ) including the COntinental System, he was the maker of the times IMHO.

But AP Euro was last year, and although I got a 5 on the test, that is all a bit fuzzy, so I might be wrong.