The historical discussion surrounding the nature of Napoleon’s imperialism is one of fierce debate, with varying levels of validity and evidence. The role of imperialism is the policy of extending power and influence through colonization and other means, which is most notable within the creation of the Napoleonic empire. This is a highly debated topic as many historians disagree on the aims Napoleon had for such an enterprise. The three main discussions follow the lines of revolutionary expansion, economic extraction, and dynastic aspirations. The argument surrounding the expansion of the revolution is derived from the presence of policies like those in France post-revolution. The expansion of the revolution is mostly analyzed through the introduction of the code Napoleon and the wider civilization of the satellite states. Broers like many other historians has addressed the nature of Napoleon’s imperialism largely through the application of the code Napoleon which is widely associated with the French Revolution. However, somewhat linked to such revolutionary policies is the second argument, of economic extraction for Napoleon and France. The argument that places economic gain at the center of Napoleon’s imperialism focuses greatly on the satellite contribution to the military as well as the enrolment of a continental b
lockade, all concluded to benefit France and Napoleon economically. This line of argument is popular amongst numerous historians including Thierry Lentz. Lentz argues that while Napoleon himself had never clarified the aims of his own imperial power, the common conclusion to be made was that Napoleon used the satellite states to extract resources that would benefit himself and France as the empire’s homeland. The final argument, also leading back to revolutionary expansion was the dynastic aims of Napoleon, pursued through imperial power. The role of the dynasty is prominent within this debate as Napoleon, in some cases, removed hereditary leaders of the satellite states and replaced them with his own family. The motive for such aspirations is often that Napoleon aimed to legitimize his own power which would be easier with a unified empire that holds more than one crown. Therefore, through these varying interpretations of the nature of Napoleon’s imperialism, it is evident that the role of revolutionary expansion was the central ideal as the role of economic extraction and dynastic attributions were subject to the success of the such revolutionary expansion. This essay will therefore argue that the primary nature of Napoleonic imperialism was based on the expansion of the French revolution throughout the satellite states.