This was a step back to the increased rights women had during the revolution. Napoleon had yet again restored power in the men. He had given the French people some liberties to refrain from future revolutions because he needed the loyalty of the French people in order to be able to conquer the world. Instead of liberating the people of France, he had put them under the rule of yet another government (this was reversing the ideals of the revolution). He enforced the strict embargo of the Continental System to prevent the expansion of England essentially started the War of 1812.
His civil code, which consisted of seven major ideas, was called the Napoleonic Code and with certain modifications, it is still the basis of French law. At its core, the code was created to establish individual freedoms and equality in certain areas. It also reinforced the ending of feudalism and the privileges that came to certain people through that system. However, some of his major ideas in the codes did not improve the lives of the French, especially women. For example, one of the laws made it nearly impossible for women to receive a divorce and in most cases, the husband would win the case.
During the French Revolution, the revolutionaries developed a common identity among the French people with the national motto “Liberty, Fraternity, Equality.” Therefore, Napoleon saw nationalism as an indispensable tool to maintain the loyalty. During Napoleon’s ruling, many of the people, who were drafted into the army, actually were willing to serve because they identified the army with the nation (Hunt et al. 659). Moreover, Napoleon not only inspired almost the fanatical loyalty and support from the soldiers by fighting along side in some sixty battles, but also created the spirit of nationalism among the citizens by remarkable series of victories (Hunt et al. 660).
Document C explains that Napoleon believed in better education for France and thought better education would help create a stronger military. Napoleon Bonaparte was a hero for France because he believed in better education for the people of France, he wanted to get rid of the tyrants of other countries to better the lives of people under their rule, and people had civil rights, which they didn’t have prior to his reign as
American civil war and Napoleonic conflicts Introduction There are questions as to whether the American civil war was the first modern conflict or it was similar to Napoleonic conflicts. The American civil war occurred between 1860 and 1865 and therefore, some scholars have argued that it was both the last ancient war and the first modern conflict. While the Napoleonic conflicts employed ancient tactics and strategies, the American civil war was the first conflict to employ the efficiencies of production occasioned by the industrial revolution. The war also involved the entire population of either side of the conflict . Therefore, an analysis of the characteristics of Napoleonic conflicts and the American civil war shows that the later is more similar to the modern conflicts than it resembled the Napoleonic conflicts.
After the French Revolution, a Corsican artillery officer, named Napoleon Bonaparte, became the emperor of France in 1804. After playing a significant role in trying retake the French port of Toulon, occupied by the British, he was appointed general at the age of 26 in 1793. This marked the beginning of the Napoleonic Era, which would change the course of European history for centuries. However, despite claiming to be a strong supporter of the French Revolution, Napoleon mostly undermined the goals of the Revolution by violating the Declaration of the Rights of Man, insisting on returning to principles of the Old Regime in regards to women, the imposition of taxes and the re-establishment of the social elite. Nonetheless, Napoleon still supported the main goals of the Revolution by establishing the Civil Code and supporting the peasantry by lowering bread prices.
Following the Reign of Terror, France was ruled by a corrupt five-man governing body called the Directory, which was overthrown by Napoleon Bonaparte through a coup d’état. Napoleon, a military general, rose to power through a series of military conquests and eventually became the First Consul of the French Republic. The French people viewed Napoleon favorably, as his military and political genius would likely lead to the creation of a prosperous and united France. Moreover, they believed that he would uphold the ideas they had fought for during the French Revolution: liberty, equality, and fraternity. While Napoleon stabilized and united French society by supporting the liberty of his people and ensuring equality of opportunity in education
He was a very strong military general, and he extended France power with his “Great Army”. He had brilliant strategies, which helped him win many of his battles such as in Austerlitz and Ulm. He tried to unite Europe, under one French Empire. Napoleon built bridges and canals, that made it easier for people to trade. Some might think that Napoleon took it way too far by attacking Russia which caused him losing a huge amount of his army.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Napoleon’s adversaries believe all those good deeds can not overshadow the crimes against humanity Napoleon committed for the hunger of European dominance. Formerly a skilled general he was responsible for a constant state of war in Europe that had benefitted France for only a short term. Bonaparte couldn’t rest until he had control of the whole continent and all he knew was fighting. He tried to enforce a European wide blockade of Britain, invading any country that didn’t comply and launched more wars to hold on to his gains. (Gendler) Many modern dictators such as
Napoleon Bonaparte was a well-known military leader that lived from 1769 until 1821. Napoleon moved through the ranks of the military very quickly. By 1802, Napoleon had gained full power over the French government, and by 1804 Napoleon self proclaimed himself Emperor Napoleon I. Through reading and analyzing primary and secondary sources, it is clear as to why Napoleon was so quick to rise to power and what principles of the Revolution Napoleon upheld and which ones he did not. Napoleon began his rise to power through numerous opportunities that were presented to him through the French Revolution.