Revolution and Opportunity

When revolution erupted in 1789, Second Lieutenant Bonaparte was on garrison duty in Auxonne, enthusiastically reading Enlightenment philosophers and pursuing his own education. The Revolution's promise of careers open to talent regardless of birth resonated deeply with the young Corsican officer. Yet his initial focus remained on Corsican independence, and he spent considerable time on leave, involved in the island's complex political struggles.

The Revolution transformed the French army. Noble officers fled en masse, creating unprecedented opportunities for ambitious young men. Napoleon navigated these treacherous times with remarkable skill, aligning himself with the Jacobins while maintaining enough flexibility to survive their fall. A crucial moment came during a return to Corsica in 1793, when a failed political gambit forced the entire Buonaparte family to flee to mainland France. Cut off from Corsica, Napoleon finally committed himself fully to his French career.