Maximilien Robespierre did no more to advance France as a nation than Napoleon Bonaparte. Robespierre only got the ball rolling. He only brought down governments and caused countless deaths to control them. He was then caught fleeing and attempted suicide, unsuccessfully. Shortly after, he was beheaded. Napoleon had to be defeated by the armies of twelve different countries before abandoning his rule over France. He then ended up returning ten months later to retake France. Napoleon had done more to advance France as a nation by ending the French Revolution, expanding France and its power, and seeking peace with France's enemies. Napoleon had an interesting childhood. He was born on August 15, 1769 in Ajaccio, Corsica. His background prevented him from reaching the position of leader of France. However, he was very good at all things military, entering the Brienne Military Academy when he was only ten years old. He completed his studies with ease, taking only a year to do what everyone else had to do in three. Napoleon was considered a hero for what he did for France through the way he governed and sought justice for his country. The revolution affected Napoleon by giving him the opportunity to quickly move up the chain of command until he became a general at the age of twenty-four. He ended the revolution in 1799 and was later named "First Consul of France" in 1800. Although he was considered a dictator, he ended the French Revolution which compromised the violent and unnecessary death that accompanied the Terror and then the Great Terror. Within a year, he had ended all conflicts and brought Europe the long-awaited peace. Napoleon wrote a code called the Napoleonic Code in the middle of a paper......becoming one of the best generals to ever live. Another challenge he had faced and was never able to overcome never caused any real harm to Britain. He conquered Egypt but was immediately arrested by the British navy. Napoleon was better than Robespierre in every way. He extended French territory further than Robespierre could have imagined. Napoleon also instituted the Napoleonic Code which had more impact on France, then and now, than any speech by Robespierre. Napoleon was on the front line defending his country's freedoms, while Robespierre only talked. Works Cited Mavraganis, Ted, Stephanie Peirce, Nelson Avery and Kevin Jordan. “Napoleon Bonaparte”. Public.gettysburg.edu. Internet. March 02, 2014. Strayer, Robert W. Ways of the World: A Brief World History with Sources. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2011. Print.