History 521

New Political Ideas and Revolution

Napoleon’s Influence on Europe

Historical Background

  • The “Reign of Terror” which ended in 1794 had weakened France politically and economically. The Revolutionary government, known as the Directory, was indecisive and not governing effectively.
  • In 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte, a general in the French army, seized power and soon thereafter declared himself emperor of France.
  • In 1804 Napoleon had himself officially crowned emperor of the French Empire.
  • Napoleon rapidly reorganized the French army and built up into a formidable continental army. Napoleon’s armies began retaking former French possessions in Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands.
  • Alarmed by Napoleon’s growing power, Austria, Prussia, and England formed an alliance against the French empire hoping to defeat Napoleon and restore order to Europe.
  • From 1803-1812 Napoleon’s armies won several major battles conquering Spain, much of the Netherlands, Belgium, and large parts of the German and Italian states.
  • Napoleon’s armies occupied the conquered territories and incorporated these areas into the French empire. The Napoleonic Code was introduced in the French Empire in1804. It was a written civil code which guaranteed religious freedom for all citizens, abolished privileges for the nobility, and opened government and civil service positions to the most qualified candidates. Furthermore, it provided for the protection of private property.
  • Napoleon’s empire began a precipitous (rapid) decline after his ill-advised invasion of Russia in 1812. The French army had suffered a major defeat.
  • The French Empire came to an abrupt end at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. The allied coalition of Prussia, Britain, Russia, and Austria defeated the French army.
  • Napoleon was captured and banished to the remote island of St. Helena where he died in 1815.

The Congress of Vienna

The Great European Powers which defeated Napoleon met in Vienna, Austria in 1815 to restore order to Europe:

  • The French Bourbon monarchy was restored in France
  • France lost all her conquered territories from the Napoleonic wars
  • The map of Europe was redrawn so that no European power held a particular advantage
  • The Napoleonic Code was abolished outside France, though many countries later adopted many of the freedoms and reforms from the Code much later in the 19th century

Historical Question: There is no doubt that Napoleon was a dictator. Some later compared Hitler to Napoleon. Is this a fair comparison? To what extent did Napoleon’s rule live up to the ideals of the French Revolution (democracy, equality, etc.)

Examine the documents below and explain which documents support and contradict the ideals of the French Revolution.

Document 1: Napoleon’s speech to his troops in 1796
Friends, I promise you this conquest; but there is one condition you must swear to fulfill--to respect the people whom you liberate, to repress the horrible pillaging committed by the scoundrels incited by our enemies. Otherwise you would not be the liberators of the people; you would be their scourge; ... Plunders will be shot without mercy; already, several have been...Peoples of Italy, the French army comes to break your chains; the French people is the friend of all peoples; approach it with confidence; your property, your religion, and your customs will be respected. We are waging war as generous enemies, and we wish only to crush the tyrants who enslave you.
Document 2: Napoleon’s Diary Entry-December 30, 1802
My power proceeds from my reputation, and my reputation from the victories I have won. My power would fail if I were not to support it with more glory and more victories. Conquest has made me what I am; only conquest can maintain me. Friendship is only a word; I love nobody; no, not even my brothers. Perhaps Joseph a little; even then it's a matter of habit, it's because he is my elder. -Duroc? Ah, yes, I love him; but why? His character attracts me: he is cool, dry, severe; and Duroc never sheds tears. As for me, you don't suppose I care; I know perfectly well I have no real friends. As long as I remain what I am, I shall have as many as I need so far as the appearance goes...
Document 3: Napoleon’s Decree at Madrid, Spain- 1808
To date from the publication of the present decree, feudal rights are abolished in Spain.All personal obligations, all exclusive fishing rights and other rights of similar nature on the coast or on the rivers and streams, all feudal monopolies of ovens, mills and inns are suppressed. It shall be free to everyone who shall conform to the laws to develop his industry without restraint.
The tribunal of the CatholicInquisition is abolished, as inconsistent with the civil sovereignty and authority.The property of the Inquisition shall be sequestered and fall to the Spanish state, to serve as security for thebonded debt.
Document 4: Historian Victor David Hanson, 2003
After all, the military record is unquestioned—17 years of wars, perhaps six million Europeans dead, France bankrupt, her overseas colonies lost.
Document 5: Excerpt from BBC News Documentary on the 200th anniversary of Napoleon’s victory at Austerlitz- 2005
It is was also Napoleon who dispatched an army of 60,000 to Haiti, authorizing the use of sulphur dioxide gas against rebel slaves - and Napoleon who introduced legislation forbidding "people of colour" to enter France.

Napoleon and the French Revolution

Docs. / Support orContradict the ideals of the French revolution? / Explanation and evidence / Corroborating Documents / Contradictory Documents
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Paragraph Response:

What was Napoleon’s legacy. How did he influence Europe?

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