Major,
I think in this period of 14 july and the controversy around it is not misplaced to return to the Revolution and the origins of Empire.
So much was said about Napoleon that it seems difficult to add something but everybody may have his own opinion.
I very agree with you Major, also with Marques de Alorna, maybe too optimistic for the end result...
Otherwise, it seems clear that Napo wasn't a man of the Révolution. He seized opportunity but should as well be a Sultan ( letters from StHelene ) or any man of power. The Coronation was seen by many as a return to old order as well as the return of religion (freedom of thinking was bluffy as Catholisism overpowered all other ) so badly resented in the Restauration era. In the Hundred Days the people was much more divided than the propaganda (and historians followers...) allegedly reports and civil war had probably erupted if it had lasted longer (conscription and taxes , watch number of deserters, traitors, countries in open rebellion...)
Last, a reply for Thillio about the Marshals : If many were without doubt promotted by military merit, almost an equal number was only listed for political reasons or diplomacy , even for linking to ancient nobility....
If you can find it, watch "Napoleon's Marshalls" = a deep study by David Chandler and an international bunch of scholars and military historians amongst who I was tasked to write a biography of Pérignon :The Unknown Marshall. Typical of the political promotion. The book doesn't exist in French, but English, Italian (and maybe spanish ) editions are probably still printed.
I hope that reopening this link will not annoy too many , But this 14 July made me rather angry...
Caporal Oster ( and a Happy Birthday so late ,Major