Napoleon's impact on Europe

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleon_Crossing_the_Alps

When you hear the name Napoleon Bonaparte, you either think dwarf or tyrant. He wasn't a dwarf, in fact, he was tall compared to the average height at the time, however, in some eyes he's a tyrant and in others a hero. To most of the population of France, middle class and poor, he was a hero because he abolished social classes and favored a meritocracy. We know he favors a meritocracy because in the article "The lost voices" it states "yet as a friend of human liberty, and eager to promote the advancement of the race, by opening the field to talent and genius, however low their birth, he was infinitely superior to all the sovereigns who endeavored to crush him."  A meritocracy is a form of government that pays and treats people based off of skills, not your name or your wealth. That is one big impact that he had on Europe. At the time the nobles didn't have to be skilled, they either inherited the wealth or had a good last name. That's why most of the wealthy didn't like him. Eventually when he invaded Europe he spread this form of government to the rest of his empire. An impact that he directly had on France was that he rebuilt it. After, the revolution France was shambles so Napoleon took the opportunity to gain power. Had he not done this France could be a completely different country. For all we know it could not be a country in modern times if it weren't for Napoleon. So basically he overall strengthened France's economy and made it a strong empire. So now when you think Napoleon, instead of thinking of a dwarf or a tyrant, even though he basically was, you will have a better understanding.