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Only one man could lead the United States of America to victory over the British during the American Revolutionary War, and then go on to become the first American President: George Washington. He was born in 1732 in Westmoreland County, Virginia, to a father who was a tobacco planter, Augustine Washington, and his second wife, Mary Ball Washington. George Washington soon joined the Virginia militia and later proved his leadership skills as a Commander in the French and Indian War. When Congress created the Continental Army in 1775, Washington's bravery, charisma, and experience landed him the role of Commander-in-chief. After leaving the British to surrender at Yorktown in 1781, no other candidate was even in the Electoral College's mind as they unanimously voted him into presidency in 1789 and again in 1792. Washington retired from the presidency in 1797 and took some time for himself, mostly tending to his farm. It was in 1799 that he passed away and Americans lost a great national treasure.
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Born on the island of Corsica in 1769 (when it was officially part of France), Napoleon Bonaparte was the Emperor of the French between 1804 and 1815. His family's wealth and connections landed him at a prestigious military academy in France in 1779, and when he was 16, he officially joined the French army as an officer. Napoleon's ruthless yet effective leadership was shown when he was asked by the government to stop a mob of Parisian rebels in 1795 – he spared no enemy that day. Delighted, the French government appointed him as Commander of the French army stationed in Italy, and this was his first taste of real power. Napoleon strengthened his image as a brilliant tactician when he later went on to conquer Italy and Egypt, and soon became Emperor of the French in 1804. Throughout the early 1800s, Napoleon had great military success against Austria, Portugal, Prussia, and other allied nations. His military genius couldn't save him from the harsh weather in Russia in 1812 however, and he retreated. 1814 was the beginning of the great fall of the great Empire and the Emperor who ruled it, and Napoleon was later exiled to the island of Elba. In 1821 he passed away, leaving his great legacy behind, and the Empire that once stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to Russia was no more.
George Washington and Napoleon Bonaparte join US Army Rangers vs. North Korean Special Operations Force, Genghis Khan vs. Hannibal, Saddam Hussein vs. Pol Pot, and Joan of Arc vs. William the Conqueror as the officially announced matchups for Deadliest Warrior Season 3. Our next matchup will be revealed tomorrow, June 2, so follow us on Twitter and Facebook for all the up-to-the-minute info. Until then, let us know who would win this great battle: Washington or Napoleon? Don't forget to vote below!