This question came up in my AP Euro class today and I wanted to know what the experts here think of it. In our class, we described the man to have had one of the most brilliant minds in history. So what made him divorce Josephine? Sure he wanted to be a royal but married Marie Louise who was the niece of Antoinette! It doesn't take much intellect to know that it was a foul move. So what drove him to it?
Why do you think it was a foul move? He was the Emperor, and after 14 years of marriage she had produced no heirs, and his other declared heirs had died. Napoleon was approaching 40 as it was. Marrying Marie Louise brought France and Austria closer; whereas, Josephine brought little land or diplomacy to the table. Sadly, love must take a back-seat sometimes.