First Outline

Thesis: Napoleon Bonaparte achieved his success as an emperor because of his ability on the battlefield to use a combination of infantry and cavalry assaults against the weak points of the enemy army, rather than traditional maneuvering and frontal assaults.

Definitions: To be named later

1. Before Napoleon became a general on the battle field, leaders were chosen by birthright instead of on merit
1. These generals outmaneuvered each other until one was pinned down and merely surrendered
2. Most of the battles taking place consisted of all out frontal assaults

2. The infantry was the most important factor in his military strategies
1. The infantry was the larger part of his army
2. Infantry also in the thick of all of the action
3. They were kept together by non-commissioned officers who lead from the front
1. They kept a sabre to direct the battle
2. They were also responsible for keeping the units togetherb
4. If the battle was going ill, most soldiers to would be looking towards their own safety
1. To prevent this, the men fought shoulder to shoulder two or three ranks deep
2. Also there was a cavalry picket line stationed to the rear to "encourage" the soldiers to return to the battle

3. Napoleon determined his own battlefields to his advantage
1. He fought in several places where past generals had not, including roofs, and city streets
2. He tended to avoid unfavorable terrain such as swamp and woods

4. On the battlefield, cavalry and infantry played important roles, but the battle was won with infantry
1. Napoleon employed constant drills to keep them ready for battle at any time
2. They marched in a long, narrow column that could potentially stretch for miles.
1. If ambushed, it was wide open for gun or canon fire.
2. One of his most important drills was changing from a column to a line of battle and vice versa
1. It was very difficult to change from column to a battle line
2. Whenever the move was preformed, they were under fire
3. Any disruption was deadly
1. If there was a natural barrier, the entire line was stopped
2. Infantry was weak against a cavalry charge because their guns were only effective for 50 yards.
4. They had different formations depending on whether they faced cavalry, or infantry

5. Another revolutionary tactic of Napoleon was the use of skirmishers
1. These men would harass the enemy endlessly
1. They would cut, dash, and run
2. Then report what they found to their commander
2. These men would usually be equipped with muskets and bayonets, or they would be grenadiers

6. The cavalry played a lesser role than in earlier times, although it was still important
1. Cavalry was not longer used for heavy engagements
2. They were more of a scouting force
1. Reporting what kind of weapons the enemy had
2. And the size of the army
3. If cavalry engaged at all
1. They engaged other cavalry to neutralize it
2. they did a quick charge to pin their enemy in one place
3. Or they were engaged in hopes of a quick victory