In 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte made a crucial decision as he left Egypt, where he had been waging a military campaign since 1798. His time in Egypt saw him achieving significant military feats, including the Battle of the Pyramids and the establishment of a short-lived French administration. However, while Napoleon experienced initial success, his hold on the region weakened due to both military setbacks and growing resistance among the Egyptian populace. Concurrently, the political landscape back in France was rapidly changing, with the influence of the Directory diminishing and fears of royalist and other counter-revolutionary uprisings on the rise.

Seeing the shift in both his fortunes in Egypt and the pressing situation back in France, Napoleon decided to leave his troops under General Jean-Baptiste Kleber’s command, going against military tradition. He secretly boarded a ship, taking the perilous journey across the Mediterranean Sea to return to France. Upon his return, he capitalized on the political turmoil and public discontent to ultimately seize control and establish himself as First Consul of France. This was a critical point in his ascent to power, with his actions setting the stage for his role in the establishment of the French Empire.

Napoleon's departure from Egypt not only highlighted his ambitions but also impacted France significantly. It created a power vacuum in Egypt, leading to an eventual British conquest in the following years. Furthermore, his return galvanized political factions in France, ultimately reshaping the French government and leading to his eventual coronation as Emperor. The mix of military strategy and political maneuvering demonstrated his capabilities and marked the beginning of his imperial ambitions on a European scale.