It is quite natural that you 'think not' from some years later. I am well assured that no one would expect you to think otherwise than not!

However, the point I tried to raise in the narrow confines of the internet on this forum is what Napoleon thought. At this stage of his 'career', how much was he concerned with international recognition / acceptance of his actions? How much was he concerned with the acceptance of his home power base?

Can you even begin to accept that Napoleon had a rationale although you deny its validity?

Was extortion an unknown or outlawed tool in the other nations? In my humble opinion, it was pervasive to the lowest levels of society. Witness the debtor's prisons.

If we are to ruminate on the cruelity of past wars, the cud should be representative.