Course:HIST102/HIST102May09NapoleonBonaparteTeamA
As group B mentioned Napoleon wasn’t a perfect leader, but that wasn’t what France needed following the revolution. They needed a leader that was going to stand up and make changes that would bring France, and all it’s citizens, back to glory, and that is what Napoleon acheived. He did prosper more then the average citizen but equality doesn’t mean everyone makes the same income, it means that everyone has an equal opportunities. Wages are earned by the occupation you are in, jobs with more responsibility earn higher wages, and Napoleon had the responsibility of an entire country, thus earned a fairly high wage. Also, to say that, “liberty in France did not exist as it does today” , is very true, but the comparison is irrelevant. Napoleon ruled over 200 years ago. There are very few things in the world that are still the same today as they were back then. Going along with that many of the ideas Napoleon brought in as a leader were things our leaders still to this day, censoring the media, appointing their own advisors, personal gain, and enforcing laws are all acts government across the world still commit. Napoleon's religious reforms were unprecedented in French history. The Concordat brought an end to centuries of persecution of Jews and Protestants while ensuring the Catholic clergy would be financially protected. This ushered in a new era of religious equality, something for which the Revolutionaries strived but had not managed to obtain. Napoleon's reforms were successful not only in upholding the ideals of the Revolution but also in appeasing the Catholic Church and the French people. Due to his new law code, religious reforms and military prowess, Napoleon was truly a carrier of the French Revolutionary ideals - equality, liberty and fraternity, during his time in power.
Upon reading Team B’s argument it has been noted that while some points do prove that Napoleon’s actions undermined the ideals of the French Revolution, others do not. Napoleon did indeed mend matters with the Catholic Church and granted religious freedom for Jews and Protestants. The terms of The Concordat favored the revolutionaries because it gained religious equality while ensuring that the Church no longer had a monopoly over land. This did stabilize the country and also would have appeased the revolutionaries and religious minorities. This was a positive action and would have been welcomed by the French people, radical or not. These actions, undertaken by Napoleon, did not undermine the ideals of the Revolution. Napoleon's secret police force, albeit a precaution taken by many Emperors and Kings did not represent the equality, liberty and fraternity the revolutionaries were striving for. This point greatly supports the Team’s argument and undermines ours.
In order to introduce change, Napoleon needed the support of his people. Thus, it is inevitable that he resort to means such as propaganda and censorship to consolidate his power. If he did not do this, he could not have possibly reformed France in anyway. Furthermore, propaganda and censorship have always been used by governments throughout history, even in democratic countries in modern times. It is therefore unfair to associate their use with Napoleon’s political vision. To evaluate whether he is a carrier of revolutionary ideals, one should examine the changes he made during his reign. The most significant of this was his establishment of the new law code, and his reformation of the military. His law code guaranteed the security of private property and the safety of the people under the law, and his new military promotional system assured that one is determined by merit rather than birth. Napoleon himself was a perfect example of the concepts behind his policies, as he rose to the top from humble beginnings. Yet, there are limitations to what he could achieve, given the era in history and his short time in power. Consequently, it is unreasonable to expect him to completely transform France into the ideal state envisioned by the revolutionaries, such as reforming the patriarchal tradition and the existence of classism. Nevertheless, his policies certainly led France closer to the revolution’s ideals.
Napoleon's goal of political, communal and religious stability was achieved. He did so through a strong military, a new law code and by signing a treaty with the Catholic Church. This stability was a welcome change for France following the years of turmoil under the Convention and the Directory. Napoleon's reforms were designed to keep in power, like every great leader in history. However he could never have been sucessful without appeasing his people who having overturned a monarchy were dangerous and volatile. It would have been political suicide for napoleon to not support the ideals of the French Revolution - equality, liberty and fraternity. Regardless of his desire for personal power, one must admit that the reforms made during his reign is comparable to, or even surpasses many reformists in history. After all, having restored peace within the nation, bringing a new sense of unity and national pride, was the purpose of the revolution in the first place.
In arguably France's darkest years Napoleon Bonaparte took his country out of terror and turned it into a world powerhouse. He installed new values and pride to France and lead his people with confidence and determination. Napoleon was a carrier of French Revolutionary ideals during his time in power. These ideals were - "liberty, equality and fraternity". Napoleon's reign demonstrated support for these revolutionary ideals in several ways. Firstly, he imposed domestic policies which conveyed the new ideals. Secondly he made peace with the Catholic Church and introduced religious toleration. Lastly, at the front of the army he brought pride back to French people after years of civil strife and fear.
Napoleon's domestic policies clearly reflect several concepts dear to the revolution. Arguably, the most revolutionary aspect of his administration is his introduction of a new law code. Though the law codes itself demonstrate some inequalities, but it altered the society under Napoleon. For example, the concept that everyone is equal under the law, security of private property, and the fact that one is more determined by merit than birth, all correspond to the ideals of the revolution. His law code forms the basis of numerous law codes, lasting long after his fall. Despite using propaganda and censorship to consolidate his power, during his time in power France saw the flourish of the arts, science and literature. Along his foreign policies and militaristic dominance, his domestic policies inspired a nationalistic pride. The popular support for Napoleon is clear indication that his rule reinforces the integrity of the French people, and the happiness of the nation. In his own account, he "found division among all authorities," and remarked "that the Constitution was half destroyed and was unable to save liberty." Consequently, his reign was a response to these complications, as he reunited the disorganized parties and factions, and restored France’s internal situation to that of a calm and peaceful state.
Among Napoleon’s most important reforms were those concerning the Church; for the first time in French history religious tolerance was introduced. After the fall of the monarchy and the rise of The Convention, France’s ties with Rome were severely strained; church lands had been seized and the powerful first estate eradicated as clergymen were now considered civilians. Further tensions followed Robespierre’s “cult of reason” and subsequent reformation of the calendar, eliminating the religious observance of holy days. After his rise to power Napoleon quickly sought to appease Rome by signing a treaty known as the Concordat. This allowed to state to keep Church lands seized during the revolution, thereby appeasing the French people’s need for equality and end the Church’s monopoly on land but also pleasing Rome by promising to pay clerics’ salary. Napoleon established the Catholic faith as the preferred religion in France but also recognized and permitted the worship of Jews and Protestants. This was an unprecedented reform; previous rulers had persecuted both Jews and Protestants leading to mass tribunals and executions. This strategic step by Napoleon gained national support as it promoted greater equality, one of the main objectives of the French Revolution.
When Napoleon took control over France’s military he brought with him a much-needed change that complemented France's revolution and restored order back into the country. Before Napoleon came into power the nation was in chaos, led by ruthless radicals that forced civilians into the army and used the military as their own personal weapon, killing anyone at will. This period is what allowed Napoleon to rise through the ranks with such speed, as Robespierre guillotined majority of the older generals. Napoleon was a brilliant general, which is how he made his way to the top of the military, as apposed to being handed the position, as many former leaders before him were. This showed equality, one of the main themes in the revolution. He, like everyone else, started at the bottom and worked his way to the top. This allowed him to rule the military with respect and confidence from all ranks. Napoleon also installed a sense of pride throughout the French military. He led them into battle with set tactics and firm order, which brought forth many large victories. With the victories came a new sense of dignity and gave civilians their own reason to fight for their country, rather then them solely being their by force. The new values brought a new strength and France became a military powerhouse. Napoleon created the greatest army of his time not with force and threats, but by gaining admiration and uplifting the spirit of not only the entire military, but country as well.
The reign of Napoleon Bonaparte brought an end to the reign of terror and upheaval caused by The Convention and The Directory, ushering in a new era under the newly created French Empire. After years of riots and in skirmishes around the country in which thousands were sent to the guillotine, Napoleon stabilized the state through new laws, religious reforms and military victories. Unquestionably, there were certain aspects of his reign that did not comply with the revolution's ideals, but evidently, the changes he brought outweigh these discrepancies. Though he did not fully transform France into that of an ideal state imagined by the revolutionaries, he clearly guided it onto the right course.