The French Revolution that took place between 1789 and 1799 changed France and Europe forever. In 1799 Napoleon Bonaparte came to power, ruling until 1815, as essentially a dictator. The Revolutionary goals were much influenced by the ideas of the Enlightenment. The political goals of the revolution focused on the necessity to have a constitutional government. The economic and social objectives of the revolution were mainly about equality under the law and an end to the old aristocratic order. While Napoleon was in power he put into place several domestic policies. Politically and socially, his policies were largely put in place to preserve the people's rights and to gain the favor of the general population. Economically his policies for …show more content…
Firstly, he created a new government called the consulate which gave absolute power to three individuals (he was one of them). Later on, in 1804, Napoleon declared himself emperor of France. This act directly opposed the revolution’s idea of a constitutional government. During this time, he created a new bureaucracy based on ability and not social class. Anyone had the opportunity to be a noble, one had to only be qualified based on their skill. This approach promoted the Revolutionary idea of not having established classes based on who your parents were, and instead giving equal opportunity to all citizens. During his reign, Napoleon did not support the freedom of the press. While in power, he shut down 60 of the 73 newspapers in circulation and made sure that the government read anything that was released to the general public. While this policy directly opposes the revolution's goal of freedom of the press, it did, to some degree, stabilize the nation. By not having freedom of the press there would be no new revolution of ideas under Napoleon's reign. Most of napoleon's political and administrative policies went against the goals of the revolution, but the new bureaucracy promoted
On the other hand, what he did should not be exaggerated into part of the propagandist 'myth of Napoleon '. In his legal reforms especially, all that Napoleon was doing was building upon the ideas and activities of other reformers before him. Consequently, all he did was to consolidation of the achievements and developments of the Revolution. There is a marked absence of social reforms. Napoleon cared little for 'la vile populace ', and any interest he had in economic or social matters was not aimed at improving standards of living.
The enlightenment was an intellectual movement resulting from scientific advances, and it applies critical thought and reasoning to everything, including political systems and its relationship to religion, particularly Christianity. During the enlightenment, ideas were spread and shared more easily due to an increased literacy of the people and because of the invention of the printing press, making it easier to make and distribute newspapers, thus information, to the people. One of the leading personalities during the enlightenment was a man named Voltaire, he was a judge, and was critical of the French government and its absolutism. One of his publications was called “Letters Concerning the English Nation”. He states that the “Social Contract”,
Ideas that were formed by the enlightenment philosophers were used in the new government. The French, however, did not make significant progress toward ending absolutism and instead were subject to another absolute ruler immediately after the revolution. After the French revolution, Napoleon Bonaparte became emperor. In this role, Bonaparte had absolute power over France. But some traces of progress were seen, as Bonaparte created a fairer tax system, new schools and a new set of laws (some still in place over 200 years
However, Napoleon’s actions proved him to be an enlightened despot as he negotiated the Concordat of 1801, adopted the Continental System, and
The three phases of the French revolution consisted of two major revolutions and the rule of Napoleon. The first phase consisted of the removal of a royal absolutism and the second the radical revolution that started in 1792 with the removal of the monarchy and the formation of the French Republic. The final phase was Napoleon’s rise to power and becoming the First Consul of The Consulate. Each transition during the revolution was a direct cause of the sentiment of the commoners that made up the large majority of the French population. The first phase beginning in 1789 was the overthrowing of the monarchy government of Louis XVI which had become bankrupt after years of warfare.
Regardless of the French people for wanting a representative government, Napoleon thought that the French had a natural necessity for a type of monarchy. He will offer a French monarchy more effective, crueler and more powerful than any in the Ancient Regime. He will not only limit the freedoms of the French, but destabilized the equality that was so greatly taken in the initial years of the Revolution. He has re-formed a French nobility, granting the closes people to him with noble titles and estates. He also ignored the spiritual approaches of the Revolution by reestablishing Catholicism in France, and in the Concordat of 1801 signed an agreement.
The French Revolution was a singular event in human history. Its importance to humankind is plain. The Revolution was each outstanding and horrific, in its scopes and its realities. Thus, one will see there are several contradictions regarding the evolution of events within the revolution, for it 's a complex chain of historical events. There are several opinions when discussing events that followed, particularly when relating the reign of Napoleon I.
The French Revolution, which lasted from 1789 until 1799, was a period of drastic social and political, fundamental changes, replacing the ancien regime with three new succeeding political regimes until 1799. The Revolution overthrew the monarchy, established a republic, experienced violent periods of political turmoil, and finally culminated in a dictatorship under Napoleon that rapidly brought many of its principles to Western Europe and beyond. What the French Revolution manifested the abolition of the remnants of the feudal system such as peasant dues and equality before the law. It, on the other hand, created the opportunities for the new social groups to acquire political power. Also, the French Revolution became a starting point for the rise of republics and democracies and accelerated the emergence and development of the modern ideologies such
In the years 1756–1763 and again in 1792–1794 Napoleon Bonaparte ruled France and the empire that came with it. Napoleon wasn’t just the leader of France alone but he had a mission to take control of central and eastern Europe. His Napoleonic code was expanded quickly across the continental system countries and along with it came nationalism and liberal principles. These principles became embedded in society for not just this period but also for what was next in the years to come. Napoleon was not just successful in liberalizing France but he have a taste of his ideas and made them see it was possible.
One of the first things I noticed under was the establishment of a national bank. Shortly after, lycees were created so the children of France could receive a proper education. This showed me that Napoleon really cared for his citizens. People believe that Napoleon’s great contributions to our country was the Napoleonic Code which provided a general set of laws that eliminated injustices such as privileges based on birth and promoted authority. These laws also took away some women’s rights and brought back slavery.
While Macbeth worked to only benefited himself and his throne, Napoleon worked to help the entire nation. One of the most well known actions Napoleon did during his rule was the creation of the Civil Code of 1804. This new code, also called the Napoleonic Code, established a new way for judicial ruling and “equality under law” (Kishlansky 626 ). Napoleon also established better education programs and helped to improve the economic situations by creating the Bank of France. The Bank of France centralized the taxing system and made a stabilized currency.
Napoleon used his position of power to influence other countries in order to give equal rights to their citizens. He was so motivated to end feudalism that he enforced his policies in other countries aside from France. This demonstrates how compassionate and dedicated Napoleon was to bettering the lives of people all throughout Europe. He also exhibited his empathy towards civilization by talking to other leaders about changing the policies of their country. In a letter to the King of Prussia he wrote, “I want your subjects to enjoy a higher degree of liberty, equality, and prosperity hitherto unknown to the German people.
As Napoleon made many great military decisions, respected religion, and created the Napoleonic Code to protect the rights of the people, to preserve liberty, equality, and fraternity, it shows that he did defend the ideals of the revolution. Napoleon was seen as a great leader, and his lengthy reign gives us clues to his ambition and power represented throughout his reign. The main aspects of the qualities he focused on, were that he preserved individual rights to religion, protected the middle class and guaranteed civil liberties, and created a strong education system. One of Napoleon’s great leadership qualities, his military decisions, were discovered when he invaded Italy.
The French Revolution was the cause of many changes to the mainland of Europe during the seventeenth and eighteenth century. The Revolution was a conflict over absolute monarchism, social inequality or estate system and economic injustice with the enlightenment and the knowledge of other revolutions, such as the American Revolution were also factors that contributed to the French Revolution. The mighty reformation was a really frustrating time in the years of 1789 to 1799, and occurred over three stages, The Tennis Court Oath followed by The Great Fear then finally The Reign of Terror. After these three stages, The Rule of the Moderates that ended the French Revolution, Napoleon was the savior as he was instrumental to ending the frustrating
Napoleon was able to terminate feudalism and end the monarchy, creating everyone the same in power within the new civilization. Everyone was required to pay taxes instead of it only applying to the third estate. One’s title of royalty also had to be earned instead of being admitted to by birth. Bonaparte set up the Concordat of 1801 allowing religious freedom and developed the Civil Code which guaranteed all freedom to speech, press, and religion. Additionally, nationalism was a major component to the French people during the time of Napoleon as France was all integrated as one.