Final answer:
Napoleon Bonaparte shaped French and European history from 1799 to 1815, expanding the French Empire and influencing political systems across Europe before his final defeat.
Step-by-step explanation:
Napoleon Bonaparte dominated French and European History from when he seized power in France as First Consul in 1799 to his final defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. During this time, he profoundly transformed Europe through a series of unforgettable military campaigns and political reforms. After his coup d'état in 1799, Napoleon quickly became the most powerful man in France, and later declared himself emperor.
His military campaigns from 1804 to 1807 significantly extended French control over much of Europe. The French Empire, at its zenith, boasted a rule over 70 million subjects, and Napoleon influenced the politics of various European states by installing puppet governments and alliances. His successes came to a halt by 1813 after considerable setbacks and the rise of concerted opposition from other European powers. Despite his defeat and the subsequent attempt by European powers at the Congress of Vienna to rebuild and stabilize Europe, Napoleon's legacy still left a lasting mark on world history.