I couldn't resist getting into this thread.
I'm surprised nobody considered Charlemagne. Why? Well, a big reason why all of Europe is not Muslim today is because Charlemagne defeated the European Muslim invasion. I am not being pro or anti Muslim. I am simply submitting the idea or notion that Europe would have been different without a Charlemagne. There is no question about this. He was no saint in the sense that he was ruthless. Nevertheless, he stopped Muslim expansion in Europe, whether for the better or not, just like Dracul (yes Count Dracula), even more ruthless, did many centuries later. I am also surprised that I don't see Clovis. Although he makes Charlemagne and Dracul combined, look like alter boys, the reason why France probably exists today is because of Clovis. He made Paris the center of the Frank kingdom, which later became France.
Now Napolean is a different animal. Technically a French citizen since Corsica became part of France one month after he was born, in his early years, he didn't consider himself "French". In fact, up until his death, he spoke French with an Italian accent. Yes, the man had a huge ego and did look out for No.1, himself, which was the opposite of Washington, a completely selfless, dedicated man, to the point that even Napolean himself, on his death bed, acknowledged the fact that the French wanted him, Napolean, "to be like Washington". However, he did accomplish an incredible objective, a turning point in European and possibly world history. Europe would probably have been ruled by monarchs without a Napolean.
Why? The only country in the world where the idea that anybody, even a neighbor citizen, should actually have the power to govern its citizens, was the USA. Europe at that time, felt that this silly idea could never work and that eventually, democracy, as we know it today and take for granted, was doomed to fail. This thinking was common knowledge until a guy like Napoleon came along and proved them all wrong. Like the USA, having the authority to govern should not be based from what family you're born into, but from you capabilities. In short, the best should rise to the top, regardless of family background. Napolean lived by this concept and it spread throughout Europe, thus changing the thinking at that time. This thinking was so radical, that all of Europe banded together against him in order to crush him and this dangerous philosophy. I mean, are you really let just about anybody get into the "old boys network"? Yes, he was defeated. However, the bottom line is, in order for monarchs to hold on to power, they were forced to give some power to common people like me and you, in order to ensure that a guy like Napoleon would never again come along and excite the common person. Either way, however you may feel about Napolean, it's clear that his notion or idea of putting competent people in positions of authority, regardless of family background, changed Europe, and by implication, probably the world. Later on in life, he considered himself French, which is why I voted for him in this poll, since this thread is all about significant French figures.
