Welcome to our interview series where we use AI to conduct ‘interviews’ with hard-to-reach people. Most questions were AI generated using the style of Oprah, Larry King, or Jimmy Fallon. All of Napoleon’s responses were generated by ChatGPT, Jasper, or Bard

Napoleon Bonaparte was the former Emperor of France before he was exiled to St. Helena, a small remote volcanic outpost in the South Atlantic Ocean. Also known as Napoleon I, he was a French military leader and emperor who conquered much of Europe in the early 19th century.

Oliver: Hi Napoleon. How would you like me to address you?

Napoleon: Greetings, you may address me as Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. How may I be of assistance?

Oliver: Well Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, what do you feel about short men?

Napoleon: Gentleman, I must tell you, I have always found the notion of a man’s height to be of little consequence. It is not the stature of a man that defines him, but rather his actions, ambition and indomitable spirit. I may be considered short by some standards, yet I have conquered lands, led armies and shaped the very course of history. So let us not be deterred by petty prejudices, but instead strive to achieve great things, regardless of our physical stature. It is not the size of the man in the fight, but the size of the fight in the man.

Oliver: Emperor, did you want to be a soldier?

Napoleon: Yes, I wanted to be a soldier from a young age and pursued a military career from 9 years onwards. I attended military school and quickly rose through the ranks, eventually becoming the commander-in-chief of the French army.

Oliver: Emperor Napoleon, do you believe you can win a war against Russia?

Napoleon: Of course! From the last campaign I learnt alot and if I am to move against Russia the priority will be to conquer Moscow. I believe that capturing the capital city is the key to annihilating the whole country. The last time I failed to conquer Russia, in 1812, for several reasons: faulty logistics, poor discipline, disease and not the least, the weather.

Oliver: Why did you lose the Battle of Waterloo?

Napoleon: Ah, the Battle of Waterloo, what a fateful day it was. Let me tell you, my defeat was not due to a lack of bravery or strategic prowess on my part. The truth is, a multitude of factors conspired against me on that fateful day. The treacherous terrain, the surprise attack by the Prussians, the unreliability of some of my troops and bad weather conditions on the day of the battle hampered my ability to effectively coordinate his forces and launch a successful attack.
the relentless rain that muddied the battlefield and bogged down my cavalry. All these things I have mentioned combined to bring about my downfall. But despite this defeat, I shall forever be remembered as a great military leader, a visionary statesman and a conqueror of nations.

Oliver: As military strategist of note, what advice would you give Ukraine in its war with Russia?

Napoleon: Ah, the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, a situation most unfortunate. Allow me to offer some counsel to the leaders of Ukraine, as a veteran of many a political and military battle. First and foremost, Ukraine must maintain unity and steadfastness in the face of Russian aggression. The Russian bear is a formidable foe, but a divided Ukraine will only invite further incursions. A leader is a dealer in hope. I would like to commend President Zelensky for inspiring and motivating his people which is a key aspect of successful leadership. Ukraine should work to build international support for its position and to mobilize the international community. Importantly, the country must also seek allies both within Europe and abroad for it is only through a coalition of nations that Russia can be effectively deterred. However, the diplomacy must be employed in tandem with a robust military posture to ensure that Russia understands the costs of its actions. Lastly, Ukraine must never lose sight of its own interests and values and be unyielding in the defense of your sovereignty and independence, for it is these very things that are worth fighting for.Remember, a nation that is divided, cannot stand. So, stay united and stand strong, Ukraine, and victory will be within your grasp.

Oliver: In your opinion, how can one be a great leader of France?

Napoleon: First and foremost one has a deep understanding of the country’s history, culture, and current political climate. For anyone to lead France, they must have the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. In a nutshell, a great leader should be confident, courageous, compassionate and strategic in their decision-making. Additionally, you should be a man of your word and should be able to stay calm under pressure. Finally, you must be a no nonsense military leader [laughs].

Oliver: Related to the previous question but broader, what does it take to be a great leader of a country?

Napoleon: To be a great leader of any country, it takes a combination of intelligence, strategy and charisma. A leader must have a clear vision for the future, the ability to inspire and motivate their people and the strength and cunning to defend their nation against all threats internal or external. But above all, a great leader must be willing to make the difficult decisions necessary to ensure the prosperity and security of their country, no matter the personal cost.

Oliver: Can you discuss your personal life and relationships, including your marriages and family?

Napoleon
: I was married twice in my lifetime. My first marriage was to Josephine de Beauharnais, who I married in 1796. Although our marriage was tumultuous, with both of us engaging in affairs, I remained devoted to Josephine throughout our time together.

My second marriage was to Marie-Louise, the daughter of the Emperor of Austria, in 1810. This marriage was politically motivated, as it was aimed at securing an alliance with Austria, but it was also a genuine affectionate relationship and Marie-Louise and I had a son together, Napoleon II.

Oliver
: Can you talk about the role of women in society during your reign and your thoughts on women’s rights?

Napoleon
: I would say that the role of women in society during my reign was a complex one. On one hand, I was a proponent of women’s education and believed that women should have access to education and opportunities to develop their intellect and abilities. On the other hand, I was a product of my time and lived in a highly patriarchal society, where women were largely relegated to traditional roles as wives and mothers.

As for women’s rights, I did take some steps to address the issue during my reign. For example, I established the Civil Code, also known as the Napoleonic Code, which provided women with certain rights, such as the right to inherit property and the right to be protected from abuse. However, these rights were limited and did not represent a full embrace of equality for women.

In conclusion, while I did take some steps to address the issue of women’s rights, I also lived in a society that was largely patriarchal and where traditional gender roles were deeply ingrained. My views on the role of women in society and on women’s rights were shaped by these societal norms, and while I was a leader who brought about many reforms, I was also limited by the prevailing attitudes of my time.

Oliver: I like to end my interviews with one playful question, What is your favorite color?

Napoleon: My favorite color is red. The reason being, I prefer wearing red military attire because it symbolizes power, bravery and boldness. Besides, it stands out on the battlefield. The color red also represents the blood shed by soldiers in the service of their country, and serves as a reminder of the sacrifices that have been made in pursuit of victory.

Oliver
: Many thanks Emperor Napoleon for taking time out of your busy schedule for this interview.

Napoleon
: You’re welcome Oliver! The pleasure was all mine.

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