Napoleon was very much an astute opportunist, be it political or military. This, combined with voluminous amounts of self-confidence, led Napoleon in his decision to return to the European mainland and therefore, leave his force in Egypt. This was justified for several important reasons.

First, the military situation in Egypt was well in hand at the time with the victory at Fort Aboukir over Mustafa Pasha and his Turkish forces on 25 July 1799.[1] General Kléber was a seasoned soldier with ample resources for the task at hand, especially after the succession of French victories throughout Egypt and Syria. Napoleon had confidence that Egypt would “get along all right under Kléber” and he had accomplished what he was tasked to in Egypt to “found a colony” and to beat the Turks.[2]

Above: Napoleon, depicted here by the French painter Maurice Orange, inspecting a discovered mummy. The future emperor knew that his destiny lay back in France and not in the desert seas of Egypt so when the opportunity presented itself, he made his way back to Europe to once again become savior to the French people.

Second, the French cause needed Napoleon to return to Europe and correct the military failings that had occurred in his absence. Napoleon and his hubris as to the opportunity to re-inject himself back into the potential and political glories of the mainland were not lost on him. “As soon as I leave, everything collapses. If I start at once, I shall get to Paris almost as soon as my latest victory (Aboukir). My presence will restore confidence to the troops and will reanimate the citizens with hopes for a happier future.”[3] 

The failings of the French military leaders and their subsequent losses in Napoleon’s absence was putting France in a nearly untenable situation, both with battlefield losses and escalating internal turmoil. Napoleon recognized that he could serve as the stabilizing factor for the French people to rally around as well as to reverse their battlefield losses in the field and to reclaim their martial glory. His return would do both.

Notes

[1] Tim Blanning, The Pursuit of Glory: Europe, 1648-1815 (New York, NY: Viking Press, 2007), 56.

[2] Emil Ludwig, Napoleon (Garden City, NY: Garden City, 1926), 137.

[3] Ibid., 136.

Bibliography 

Blanning, Tim. The Pursuit of Glory: Europe, 1648-1815. New York, NY: Viking Press, 2007. 

Ludwig, Emil. Napoleon. Garden City, NY: Garden City, 1926.