Napoleon Essay Research Paper On 9th December

Napoleon Essay, Research Paper

On 9th December 1799 Napoleon managed to seize power of France. Between his seizure of power and the resumption of the war in Europe, Napoleon introduced several important domestic reforms. His policy focused on the law, education, the church and economics. Peace, prosperity and an administration characterised by vigour were the hallmarks of the consulate and for these Napoleon is often given a lot of praise. Although he did introduce many lasting reforms many of the consulate s achievements were becoming apparent before Brumaire. Through his reforms Napoleon aimed to end the disorder and discontent produced by the revolution. He moved progressively towards a dictatorship of the political right wing. His new reforms occasionally went against the revolutionary principles and his rule was more one of enlightened despotism than the revolutionary democracy.

As emperor Napoleon ensured he had a firm grasp on the law and used it to silence his opposition. He nominated magistrates for life and this gave him a firm control over the judiciary. In 1800 the Council of State began a scheme to codify and simplify the law. This codisation rejected the liberty of the revolution and this gave Napoleon greater power over all his subjects. In 1804 the Civil Code was introduced. This confirmed the rights of individual property. This reassured the bourgeois who had gained land during the revolution, which used to belong to the nobles. It gave Napoleon greater support and paved the way for him to allow the migr s back into the country. The Civil Code also restored the despotic authority of the father over the family. This had been removed during the revolution when women s rights became recognised due to the principle of equality. By restoring it Napoleon was undoing something established under the revolution.

Napoleon wasn t a lawyer but he largely influenced this code. Many aspects of the revolution were upheld including the preservation of equality before the law. The new criminal code, however, was more in line with the Ancien Regime than any period of the revolution. In 1810 a much hated and maligned tool of the Ancien Regime; the letter de cachet, was reintroduced by Napoleon. He argued that it s departure was a mere extravagance of the revolution. The Civil Code of 1804 became the Code Napoleon in 1807. While reintroducing aspects of the Ancien Regime it maintained many essential features of the revolution; civil equality, religious toleration and trial by jury. It is considered by many historians to be Napoleon s greatest achievement:

The codes are one of Napoleon s greatest claims to become a

benefactor of mankind.

(Grant and Temperley)

Napoleon also considered his code to be his greatest achievement. When he conquered Europe he spread his ideas throughout the continent by introducing this code. He promoted what he perceived as the revolutionary ideals.

The Code Napoleon consisted of the Civil Code, the Code of Civil Procedure, the Code of Criminal Procedure, the Penal Code and the Commercial Code. It secured many victories and principles of the revolution but due to Napoleon s personal views many provisions were hardened. For example, divorce was allowed, like the revolution, but with many restrictions.

The Code Napoleon embodies the general spirit of the revolution while compromising some ideas:

His code embodies the permanent conquest and while rejecting the

temporary extravagances of the revolution.

(Hal Fisher)

The feudal dues remained abolished and equality before the law remained. Napoleon also ensured there was no privileged exemption from tax. The code shows Napoleon s pragmatic nature in that he was not afraid to compromise revolutionary principles when he felt they were unworkable. He established elaborate spy systems, restricted the press and reintroduced the letter de cachet therefore infringing on people s liberty.

In the early years of the empire the Church was very cooperative. They helped to organise conscription and deserters and draft dodgers were refused absolution. Napoleon was brought up a Catholic but the Enlightenment and Revolution ended all genuine religious belief. Instead Napoleon saw the Church as an instrument of social control. He wanted to use in to establish his views of morality and to help confine women to the home and family. He recognised the social and political importance of Catholicism:

A state without religion is like a vessel without a compass.

(Napoleon)

He was not particular, however, which religion was his compass. It just so happened that France was a Catholic nation:

If I were governing Jews, I would rebuild the Temple of Solomon.

(Napoleon)

The Concordat was a settlement between Napoleon and the Church. Its aims were to reconcile the Church, to unify the country and to increase Napoleon s influence with other Catholic countries. Pope Pius VII wanted the official recognition of Catholicism in France. The Concordat was implemented in 1802. It laid down many terms including the Pope and Church would recognise the French Republic, the Pope accepted the French Church would be obedient to the state. The Government had the authority to appoint bishops, there was a papal veto, and all existing bishops had to resign their seats so that new o

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