Napoleon was born in Ajaccio, Corsica on August 15, 1769. He is the second of eight children born to Carlo (Charles) and Letiza Buonaparte. His parents are from both the Corsican-Italian gentry. His father was a lawyer who fought for Corsican independence. Once the French conquered the island in 1768 his father was forced to serve as a prosecutor, judge, and then entered the French aristocracy as a count. .
With the influence of his father Napoleon went to school at the expense of King Louis XVI. He attended Brienne and the Ecole Militaire in Paris. He graduated from the school in 1785 at the age of sixteen. After he finished his schooling Napoleon joined the artillery as a second lieutenant. .
After the Revolution began in 1791 Napoleon became a lieutenant colonel for the Corsican National Guard. After Corsican declared independence Bonaparte and his family fled to France. While in France he was assigned as a captain to an army who was besieging Toulon. Toulon was a naval base, aided by a British fleet, which was in revolt against the republic. During the fleet Napoleon took the place of a general who was wounded. During Napoleon's take over he seized ground in which drove the British fleet from the harbor and Toulon fell.
Later on in 1796 Napoleon became a commander of the French army in Italy. AS a commander Napoleon continued to fight for everything he had. He seemed to the type of guy who was not going to give up for nothing. He was very strong and is the reason for his many victories. He strengthened his position in France by sending the government francs worth millions. During his term as commander he conquered the expedition to Ottoman-ruled Egypt and also the Treaty of Campo Formio. .
Napoleon's alliance with Alexander 1 fell in 1812. Their alliance launched an invasion of Russia in which ended in a very disastrous retreat from Moscow. After that all of Europe united against Napoleon.