The Treaty and the Legend

The Treaty of Campo Formio (October 1797) marked Napoleon's emergence as a diplomatic force. Negotiating directly with Austria, he redrew the map of Europe, trading Venice to Austria for recognition of French conquests elsewhere. His willingness to sacrifice the ancient republic shocked contemporaries but demonstrated his ruthless pragmatism.

Returning to Paris in December 1797, Napoleon found himself the most celebrated figure in France. He cultivated this fame carefully, maintaining a modest public demeanor while ensuring his victories were properly publicized. He founded newspapers, commissioned paintings, and controlled his image with remarkable sophistication for the era. The Italian campaign had created not just military victory but a personal myth.