Napoleon II: Emperor for 20 Days

Summary

This video from Biographics narrates the brief and tragic life of Napoleon II, the son of Napoleon Bonaparte, who was declared Emperor for a mere 20 days. Born as Napoleon François Charles Joseph, he was known as the 'King of Rome' and later the 'Duke of Reichstadt'. Despite his royal lineage and military aspirations, his life was overshadowed by political machinations and health issues, culminating in his untimely death at 21. The script explores his childhood, his relationship with his father, and the complex political landscape of his time.

Takeaways

• 👑 Napoleon II, the son of Napoleon Bonaparte, was briefly declared Emperor of the French at the age of three, following his father's abdication in 1814.
• 🎭 Born as Napoleon François Charles Joseph, his birth was celebrated with 101 cannon shots, symbolizing the high expectations set for him by his father.
• 🏰 Napoleon II spent most of his life under the control of his Austrian relatives, living a life of a gilded cage, away from his father and the French throne.
• 👶 His reign as emperor was short-lived and largely symbolic, as he was quickly excluded from power by his father's revised abdication and the Congress of Vienna.
• 📚 Despite being educated and groomed to be a loyal Austrian prince, Napoleon II maintained a deep interest in and admiration for his father's legacy.
• 👶🏻 At a young age, he showed a natural inclination towards military activities, playing with military toys and showing intelligence and precociousness.
• 🤴🏻 He was given various grand titles such as Prince Imperial and King of Rome, indicating his father's intentions for a continued lineage of power.
• 📖 Napoleon II's tutors noted his exceptional academic and physical prowess, and by the age of 18, he was already a lieutenant colonel in the Austrian army.
• 💔 His health was a constant struggle, with recurring respiratory ailments that were later diagnosed as tuberculosis, which would eventually claim his life.
• 🗡 Despite his Austrian upbringing, Napoleon II expressed loyalty to France and stated that he would never fight against it, showing a complex identity influenced by his heritage.
• 💬 His life was marked by a sense of unfulfilled potential and a tragic end, as he passed away at the age of 21, reflecting on his life as being bookended by significant events with little in between.

Q & A

Who was Napoleon II and what was his significance in history?

Napoleon II, also known as the Duke of Reichstadt, was the son of Napoleon Bonaparte. He theoretically ruled as Emperor of the French for a few days and was known as the 'King of Rome'. His life was marked by being trapped by his father's enemies and his tragic early death, making him a largely overlooked figure in history.

Why was Napoleon Bonaparte's first marriage to Josephine annulled?

Napoleon Bonaparte's first marriage to Josephine was annulled on the grounds that she could not bear him an heir, which was crucial for the emperor to ensure a clear line of succession.

How was Napoleon II's birth announced to the public?

Napoleon II's birth was announced by the sound of 101 cannon shots, followed by his father's enthusiastic predictions for the boy's future glory.

What titles were bestowed upon Napoleon II during his childhood?

Napoleon II was given several grand titles such as Prince Imperial and King of Rome, with the latter being mostly symbolic, indicating continuity with the Holy Roman Empire.

How did Napoleon II's life change after his father's abdication in 1814?

After Napoleon Bonaparte's abdication in 1814, Napoleon II briefly became the Emperor of the French, but this reign ended after just two days when his father redrafted his abdication, excluding his descendants from power. Napoleon II then lived under the control of his mother and her family in Vienna.

What was the role of Prince Metternich in Napoleon II's life?

Prince Metternich, the Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs, ensured that Napoleon II and his mother reached Vienna and played a significant role in shaping the young Napoleon's life, attempting to turn him into a loyal Austrian prince.

How did Napoleon II's tutors perceive his potential for a military career?

Napoleon II's tutors recognized his natural aptitude for military studies and physical prowess, noting his excellence in horse riding, swimming, and wrestling, and concluded that an army career was the only sensible choice for him.

What was the significance of the book 'Memorial of St Helena' to Napoleon II?

The book 'Memorial of St Helena' was an account of daily conversations between Napoleon Bonaparte and Emmanuel dasas Caris. It revived Napoleon II's interest and admiration for his father and influenced his life's principal aim to never show himself unworthy of his father.

How did Napoleon II's health issues affect his military career?

Napoleon II suffered from respiratory ailments, initially thought to be pneumonia but later diagnosed as tuberculosis. His health issues prevented him from gaining battlefield experience and ultimately led to his early death.

What was the final rank Napoleon II achieved in the Austrian Imperial Army before his death?

Napoleon II achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Austrian Imperial Army before his death at the age of 21.

What were Napoleon II's reported last words, and what do they signify?

Napoleon II's reported last words were 'One final time, my birth and my death, that is my entire story. Between my cradle and my grave, there lies a big fat zero.' These words signify his reflection on a life that was largely unfulfilled due to his early death and the restrictions placed upon him.