Napoleon

How important was Napoleon? You can get some idea by examining the two maps that follow. Look at the map of Europe in 1763. Notice that France is one of a number of nations in Europe at this time. You can see that the Holy Roman Empire is big and powerful. It also shows you that a family called the Hapsburgs controls a lot of land.

Europe In 1763

Now look at the following map of Europe in 1812 (over 50 years later), and compare it to the previous map to see if there are any changes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1812 - Europe Under Napoleon

You can see that the map is very different. The Holy Roman Empire seems to have disappeared and part of it is now called the Confederation of the Rhine. Look at France. What has happened to it? Obviously it's larger. Does the second map mention the Hapsburg Family? No, but it does mention someone else in the title. That's right, Napoleon. The legend of the second map shows you how much land France, the country Napoleon ruled, controls. It is no wonder that it has been said that Napoleon redrew the map of Europe.

Setting the Scene for Napoleon's Rise to Power

In order to understand how Napoleon took control of France, you must appreciate the situation in France - and all of Europe - at that time.

Remember that during the years of the Revolution, France was almost constantly at war. This does not mean that the Revolution was without supporters outside France; in fact, democratically inclined nations like the United States and, to a lesser degree, England, expressed approval of the changes going on in France - the creation of a constitutional monarchy and the abolition of feudalism.

However, as the Revolution turned bloody and men like Danton, Marat, and Robespierre organized the Reign of Terror, world opinion of France became decidedly hostile. As France tried to export its revolutionary ideas to other countries by way of military might, this hostility increased. Statements such as the one that follows, made by a member of the relatively moderate Girondin club, frightened the rulers of Europe.

We must never rest until the whole of Europe is ablaze... We must take the offensive. We must issue manifestoes in French and Spanish. We must electrify every mind, either to make revolution or to accept it. If once we push our frontier to the Rhine, if once there are free peoples on both sides of the Pyrenees, then our liberty will be firmly established.

Surprisingly, though, while Europe watched, horrified, during the Reign of Terror, the new nationalism that had developed in France began to spread to other countries. This was in part because of admiration for the positive democratic changes that had occurred in France, and in part because of a fear of French aggression.

The situation in which Napoleon emerged was then a chaotic one. Both external wars and internal unrest seemed to call for someone who could take control with a strong hand.

1. At the beginning some nations outside France supported the Revolution.  Why did this situation change?

Napoleon's Rise to Power

Did you know that Napoleon was almost born an Italian? He was born in 1769 on the island of Corsica (refer back to your map of Europe in 1812), which France had only recently bought from the Italian state of Genoa. Napoleon’s family belonged to the lower nobility, so he had been permitted, in the days of the Ancien Régime, to study at a French military academy.

At the academy, Napoleon was made to feel like an outsider. His thick Corsican accent (regarded as very ‘backwoodsish’ by the sons of French noblemen) and relative poverty made him an object of some ridicule; but this just drove Napoleon to work all the harder.

By luck, Napoleon graduated just as France was getting into its revolutionary wars. It was also just at this time that many noblemen were fleeing France causing a scarcity of army officers. As a result, Napoleon advanced quickly, and in 1796 was given command of the French army in Italy (He was helped by the influence of his first wife, Josephine, widow of a French general). France was fighting the Austrians at the time, who, then controlled northern Italy.

When Napoleon arrived in Italy, his soldiers laughed at his height, calling him "Puss-in-boots." However, a few victories later, they changed their tune, and realized that their new general was a man of exceptional abilities. Napoleon knew how to lead men, too.

 

 

 

1. The preceding reading presents a number of factors significant in Napoleon's rise to power. Each of these factors is listed below. In the space provided in front of each factor, place either a letter C or a letter D as follows:

C - if this was simply a chance happening (in other words a lucky break, or something Napoleon had no control over)

OR

D - if it was a deliberate action taken by Napoleon that helped him work his way up the system

_____ a. Napoleon was born in Corsica, which had been recently purchased by France.

_____ b. Because Napoleon was born into the lower nobility, he was able to go to a military academy (school).

_____ c. Napoleon was advanced quickly because of a scarcity of army officers.

_____ d. Napoleon was very ambitious in school partly because he felt he was an outsider and poorer than the other students.

_____ e. Napoleon finished school just when the revolutionary government was getting involved in a war with foreign nations.

_____ f. Napoleon married Josephine de Beauharmais, the widow of a French general, and an influential person with members of theFrench government (the Directory).

Napoleon, then, had proven to be an ambitious, young man in a time when revolution and war were changing Europe. He was now a general in the French army, and had won a great victory in Italy over the Austrians.

Next, as you will see, Napoleon was sent to Egypt, but made a dramatic return to take over the French government.

In the following reading, you will learn how Napoleon seized control of France. As you read this section, think about the problems France was facing that would encourage someone to overthrow the government. You will notice again how it would take a special personality to do what Napoleon did.

Napoleon Becomes First Consul

Because of his success in Italy, Napoleon was soon (1798) given another command. This time he was to take Egypt, principally to block off Britain's lifeline to its outposts in India. Though he quickly defeated the Egyptians at the Battle of the Nile, the British, under the leadership of Admiral Nelson, destroyed the French fleet. Unable now to supply his army, nor bring them home, Napoleon returned to Paris where the people, who were unaware of the size of France's losses, gave him a hero's welcome.

Back in France, Napoleon found the Directory in a state of disarray, with inefficiency and corruption everywhere. He believed that France was desperate for a "strong man" to take charge, and he felt himself to be that man.

On November 9, 1799, Napoleon and two members of the Directory overthrew the government with the help of loyal soldiers, and established yet another government in France, the Consulate, which was to last until 1804. Napoleon appointed himself First Consul for a term of ten years; later he became First Consul for life. At thirty years of age Napoleon was for all intents and purposes dictator of France. Once again, France had an absolute ruler.

Napoleon in Power

Napoleon's Reforms

Napoleon was not only a great military commander, but also an able governor and administrator. Remember - both the positive reforms and the resulting chaos. It became his task to consolidate the Revolution's positive accomplishments, to work out the details of proposed reforms, and, in some cases, reject unworkable ideas. In other words, he had to make the new France work.

Here, in point form, are a few of Napoleon’s most noteworthy achievements.

- the Code Napoleon	Remember all those different legal codes France Napoleon had back in the days of the Ancien Régime? Napoleon introduced a new, uniform system of law drawn up for all of France – the Code Napoleon. Today, this code remains the basis of the legal system of France.
- public education	Napoleon established an extensive system of public schools – the lycées. Though highly regimented and open primarily to the wealthy, the system was a first step on the road to universal public education.
- government centralization	The departments, established in the early years of the Revolution, had never worked efficiently; they were too independent. Napoleon centralized all power in his own hands. Though this wasn’t as democratic, it was far more efficient.
- the Concordat with the Pope	Remember how hard the Revolution had been on the Roman Catholic Church? It had alienated many French people – devout Catholics – from the government. Napoleon arranged an agreement – the Concordat – with the Vatican that eased most of the tensions between church and state. Confiscated church lands were kept by those who had bought them, but church buildings were returned. The state paid the clergy and chose bishops, the Pope consecrated and installed them.
- the economy	Napoleon introduced many economic reforms in France. Taxes were collected fairly and efficiently, roads built, commerce stimulated, and attempts were made to balance the budget. Napoleon also founded the Bank of France to control French finances.

 

Napoleon's Legacy

What, in the final analysis, did Napoleon achieve? For one thing, he spread the ideas of the French Revolution throughout Europe. The battle cry of the Revolution had been "Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity [brotherhood]," and certainly Napoleon believed in these ideas, even if he did not always put them into action. During his rise to power in Europe he posed as the great liberator, freeing the people of Europe from their kings, their old feudal lords, and from the church . and to a great extent this pose was legitimate.

Egalitarianism- the belief that all people should be equal before the law was something that Napoleon did a great deal to promote by way of his Code Napoleon. Although Napoleon seemed to see himself and his family as privileged, everywhere else he put an end to privilege and improved the lot of the common person.

Liberalism- the word often used to describe the belief in individual liberty, equality before the law, and the democratic participation of the people in government was another notion born of the French Revolution and spread throughout Europe by Napoleon. Where liberal ideas took root, feudalism, the power of the nobility, and the unquestioned right of kings to rule were challenged and eventually destroyed. European attitudes were starting to become democratic.

Finally, as you've seen, Napoleon did much to promote the growth of nationalism throughout Europe. At first he brought this new idea into countries he conquered; later it flourished in these countries in reaction to his rule. This new-found nationalism was to grow and to change the face of Europe and eventually the world in the century after Napoleon' s death. No longer would Europe be a collection of kingdoms; it was becoming, rather, a collection of true nation-states.

Napoleon died in exile on a tiny, isolated Atlantic island - a large step down from being Emperor of France and Master of Europe.

Some would say that this was a sad ending for a great man. Others would say good riddance to a dictator who brought so much fighting and suffering to Europe. Somewould see Napoleon as the man who brought order back to France and spread the new ideas of liberalism, egalitarianism, and nationalism throughout Europe. Others would see him as a traitor to the Revolution, ending the new French republic and declaring himself Emperor.

Do you remember at the beginning of this section, reading the comments of people who had all seen the same show? Each person had a different opinion. In this last exercise you will develop a judgement on Napoleon and his place in history. Was he a hero, a villain, or something in between?

This is not an easy question. In an attempt to make it clearer, it will help to lay things out step-by-step. Here is a sequence of questions to work through to arrive at your opinion. The first one has been answered for you.

Question 1: Precisely what is the question to be answered?
Was Napoleon a hero or a villian in world history?

Question 2: What are the alternative positions that a person answering this question could take?

Question 3: In order to decide whether anything is good or bad, you must base your judgement on certain values (e.g., you might say that cake and ice cream are good foods if you value enjoyment in eating, or bad foods if you value staying slim).

With this in mind, list one or two values that underlie each of the alternative positions you presented in Question 2.

Alternative 1:

Alternative 2:

Question 4: Which position seems the most reasonable to you?

Question 5: What data supports your position (i.e., what evidence can you present from Napoleon's career to back up your choice?)?

Question 6: History is by no means cut and dried. Historians are constantly turning up new information, new interpretations, and new theories that change the way we look at the past. What future evidence might change your answer to Question 4? (Again, this would be an excellent time to brainstorm if your situation allows it.)

Suggested Answers

Question 1:The question is "Was Napoleon a hero or a villain in world history?"

Question 2:There are three possible positions:

" Napoleon was a hero.

" Napoleon was a villain.

" Napoleon was neither hero nor villain.

Question 3:

Alternative 1: Napoleon as hero:  You could appeal to values like progress, law and order, equality, national glory, and the need for modernizing a Europe raised in an outworn feudalism.

Alternative 2: Napoleon as villain:  You could appeal to values like admiration for democratic ideals, respect for human life, preferrence for evolutionary, rather than revolutionary change, distaste of hunger for power, and a sense of betrayal of the Revolution.

Alternative 3: Napoleon as neither hero nor villain:  Values to which you could appeal might include all of the above, as well as a value on fair, unbiased assessment of an individual's achievements.

 

Napoleon Summary

 

1. Consolidation of power:

1. Fouche: the secret police imprisoned or murdered Napoleon’s enemies
2. Rigid censorship of the press and political activity
3. Schools and Church taught loyalty to Napoleon
4. Napoleon claimed Frenchman only wanted glory, aggressive Nationalism and demagogic leadership

·        “I sealed the gulf of anarchy and unraveled chaos. I purified the Revolution and strengthened the monarchy.”

 

2. Domestic policy

1. local governments were made more efficient and became highly centralized
2. The ‘Code of Napoleon’ was instituted
3. The Concordant was signed with the Vatican
4. France reverted back to the Christian calendar
5. Education was placed under central control (lycees)
6. Created the Bank of France
7. The Legion of Honor (reward exceptional service to France
8. Public Works (roads, sewers)

 

These changes made were some of the good points of the Revolution were carried on.  These included the abolition of the feudal system and the old class order.  It also kept and guaranteed the land settlements of the Revolution and gained for Napoleon the support of the peasantry and clergy.

 

3. Foreign Policy

1. designed to isolate and defeat Great Britain
2. subdue Europe by military conquest

 

4. The importance of Napoleon

1. the Good: (arguments)
• his early victories saved France
• He established law and order in France
• He established national unity under a stringent centralized government
• He made permanent some of the gains of the Revolution.  For example, legal equality, land settlement, and the departments for the local government
• Organized France into a unified state, for example, Concordat, Code of Napoleon, Bank of France
• European countries were affected by abolishing class privileges and spreading Nationalism
• the forces of Liberalism were planted in Europe and they would continue to make demands on absolutism in Europe
2. the Bad: (arguments)

·        His wars continually drained the finances of France

·        His wars cause a great loss of life and destruction

·        His continental system dislocated trade and industry

·        Private interests and rights became subordinate to the Emperor

·        Napoleon thought that the only way he could be respected was to continually bring back glory through his military campaigns

·        Napoleon was no liberal, he did not destroy absolutism but he created a more efficient form of it. 

 

 

Comparing Past and Present

How modern was Napoleon?

 

	Napoleon’s France	Canada Today
Finance	Bank of France  - central bank - issued government securities - extended loans - encouraged business with grants and tax rebates	Bank of Canada - central bank - issues money - controls interest rates - structures economic policy of country
Taxes	- collected only by government - direct taxes on ownership of property	- collected by three levels of government - direct and indirect taxes income, property, and sales taxes
Law	- one system of laws for everyone - due process - equal taxation - women had few rights, treated like minors	- one system of laws for everyone - due process - equal taxation - women have equal rights
Education	- public education - advancement based on merit - rigid discipline and military training	- public school system - mandatory attendance - advancement based on merit - individuality of students recognized

Land Ownership of the Three Estates
	Population (%)	Land Owned (%)
First Estate	0.5	10
Second Estate	1.5	25
Third Estate	98.0	65

 

 

 

-         French Society in the old regime (l’ancien regime) was classified into three estates, or groups. The first and highest estate was the clergy, the second estate was the nobility, and the third estate was everyone else.                          

 

First Estate: Clergy

 

-About 10 000 people, or 0.5 percent of France’s population, belonged to the first estate

-In addition to the property revenues, the clergy were entitled to the tithe, 10 percent of everyone’s income.

 

 

Second Estate: Nobility

 

-About 390 000 people, or 1.5 percent of France’s population, were nobles.

-About one half of the people in Nobility were nobles-of-the-sword, a distinction that meant that the title was won during medieval times. Nobles-of-the-sword considered themselves to be the only true nobility in France.

-The rest of the nobility were as follows:

-Nobles-of-the-robe: to denote those who held royal, judicial, or administrative posts

-Nobles of the bell to denote those who held municipal office

and the – anoblis who had simply purchased their titles (spent money just to be Nobility) they rarely had duties.

-A separate category called hoberaux (“sparrow hawks”) were nobles who had lost their wealth and were reduced to seeking a commission in the army for their support.

Preparing Your Speech

• What is the issue?

Be it resolved that population problems be addressed through the enhancement of the status of women throughout the world.

 

-         What are the various viewpoints for and against the resolution?

For: The status of women should be enhanced so that men and women are equal. Women have rights too.

Against: The status of women in the world should not be enhanced throughout the world. Women should not be equal to men.

 

• What would my country's position be regarding the issue?

My countrie is for the enhancement of the status of women throughout the world.

• What 3 reasons and supporting evidence can I provide to support my country's position?

 -Women have rights too and they should be met. Women are just as good as men and they should be treated that way.

-The enhancement of the status of women would solve many population problems throughout the world. Including population problems in China, Japan, …

-

 

• What arguments can I anticipate from opposing viewpoints?

-We need more workers in the world and that means more men. Men are stronger and larger which makes them better at working in factories, etc.

-

• What arguments and evidence can I use to counter these opposing viewpoints?

Notes on Austria

 

 

Print Resources

World Prospects: Page 282 - 290

 

Websites

 

Sex Ratio

(Females per 100 males)                          103

 

 

 

Growth Rate of Population

(% per annum, 1995-2000)                 0.5

 

 

Infant Mortality Rate

(per 1,000 births, 1990-99)                       6

 

 

Total Fertility Rate

(births per woman, 1990-99)                  1.4

 

 

Life Expectancy at Birth

(years, 1990-99)                       Female: 80      Male:74

 

 

Parliamentary Seats Women/Men

(% 1990-99)                                           26/74

 

 

Women's Rights

The equal rights and inherent human dignity of women and men are guaranteed by international law.

There are several critical areas of concern in regard to women's human rights:

• Recognition and reaffirmation of the right of all women to control all aspects of their health, in particular their own fertility, is basic to their empowerment.
• Violence against women
• The persistent and increasing burden of poverty on women
• Inequalities and inadequacies in and unequal access to education and training
• Inequalities and inadequacies in and unequal access to health care and related services
• The effects of armed or other kinds of conflict on women, including those living under foreign occupation
• Inequality in economic structures and policies, in all forms of productive activities and in access to resources
• Inequality between men and women in the sharing of power and decision making at all levels and insufficient mechanisms to promote the advancement of women
• Lack of respect for and inadequate promotion and protection of the human rights of women
• Stereotyping of women and inequality in women's access to and participation in all communication systems, especially in the media

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Women			to the top
Under-5 mortality rank			177
Life expectancy: females as a % of males	2002		108
Adult literacy rate: females as a % of males	2000		-
Gross enrolment ratios: females as a % of males	primary school 1997-2000*		99
	secondary school 1997-2000*		96
Contraceptive prevalence (%)	1995-2002*		51
Antenatal care coverage (%)	1995-2002*		100x
Skilled attendant at delivery (%)	1995-2002*		100x
Maternal mortality ratio+	reported 1985-2002*		-
	adjusted 2000		4

 

 

 

Preparing Your Speech

• What is the issue?

Be it resolved that population problems be addressed through the enhancement of the status of women throughout the world.

 

- What are the various viewpoints for and against the resolution?

 

• What would my country's position be regarding the issue?

 

• What 3 reasons and supporting evidence can I provide to support my country's position?

 

• What arguments can I anticipate from opposing viewpoints?

 

• What arguments and evidence can I use to counter these opposing viewpoints?

 

 

Social 20 project

 

The Environment

 

• What is the issue?
• What are the various viewpoints for and against the resolution?
• What would my country's position be regarding the issue?
• What 3 reasons and supporting evidence can I provide to support my country's position?
• What arguments can I anticipate from opposing viewpoints?
• What arguments and evidence can I use to counter these opposing viewpoints?

 

Industrialization and Urbanization

 

• What is the issue?
• What are the various viewpoints for and against the resolution?
• What would my country's position be regarding the issue?
• What 3 reasons and supporting evidence can I provide to support my country's position?
• What arguments can I anticipate from opposing viewpoints?
• What arguments and evidence can I use to counter these opposing viewpoints?

 

Fair Trade Practices

 

• What is the issue?
• What are the various viewpoints for and against the resolution?
• What would my country's position be regarding the issue?
• What 3 reasons and supporting evidence can I provide to support my country's position?
• What arguments can I anticipate from opposing viewpoints?
• What arguments and evidence can I use to counter these opposing viewpoints?

 

 

 

The Status Of Women

 

• What is the issue?
• What are the various viewpoints for and against the resolution?
• What would my country's position be regarding the issue?
• What 3 reasons and supporting evidence can I provide to support my country's position?
• What arguments can I anticipate from opposing viewpoints?
• What arguments and evidence can I use to counter these opposing viewpoints?

 

Peace and Security

 

• What is the issue?
• What are the various viewpoints for and against the resolution?
• What would my country's position be regarding the issue?
• What 3 reasons and supporting evidence can I provide to support my country's position?
• What arguments can I anticipate from opposing viewpoints?
• What arguments and evidence can I use to counter these opposing viewpoints?

SOO bored... it's been SOOOOOOOOOOO long since i've updated and i'm at home alone and bored right now so lol YAYY! Hmmm i should b studying... i just got home from my science final exam and i think i may have passed:D:D:D and then tommorow is my social exam then i'm done FOREVER til grade11:P i'm wearing my super sexy granny sweater:O and my seat belt belt (super kewl) so yeh i'm gonna go find something else to do cuz this is sorta boring ok bye leslie BYEEEE

Hello all of ,u super kewl buddies... gues wut i'm doing... thats right i'm sitting her waiting for tasha and mike to call CALLLLL MEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! my hair is in a pony tail HAHAHAHAHA alrighty leslie and i'm on a different computer than i usually m and the keyboard makes kewl sounds lol,today was sooo fast i donno why but everything was like ZOOM! and now its 6 13... and NOW its 6 45 cuz i just went down and ate supper hahaha yeh ok thx tasha ans mike for calling me hehe even though i only talked for like 5 minutes hehe oh well n e wayz right now we're calling mike HAHAHA isn't that super funny hehehe and now we're talking to him hehe and now they're going to safeway for some odd reason and now tasha is telling chris to let his feelings all out and JUST CRYYYYY! haha n e wayz i'll stop talking bout it lol and now we're calling them on chris's cell phone hehe ok well i'm gonna stop now or i'l just keep on talking lol...


TASHAPOO: I LOVE YOU MORE THAN PEANUT BUSTER PARFAITS!! you looked super sexy today with your super sexy jean jacket and your super sexy red shirt and your super sexy jeans and your super sexy hair and your super sexy jeans and your SUPER SEXY GREEN UNDERPANTIES lol YOU'RE WEARING THAT ON SATURDAY OR ELSE!!

BEKAPOO: I HAD A PEANUT BUSTER PARFAIT *sticks tongue out at you* blah blah blah haha yeh luv ya bunches

MIKE:  HELOOOOO hehe i'm bored and you better have looked at this NO PLAYBOY  *madface* BYEEEE

MIKE AND CHRIS HAHAHA WE GOT YOU SOOOOOO BAD LOL


CHRIS: hello chris hehehe I CAN'T WAIT FOR SATURDAY wow we should go to calaway well you're working there haha.. then we can b like HIIII CHRIS then we can laugh hehehehe

KEATON: i doubt you visit mine but n e wayz HIIIIIII

CAITLIN: i don't think you visit this either but I LOOOOOVEEEE YOUUU

Hello... guess wut has happened since i last wrote... I TURNED 15 HAHAHAHA now i'm as old as EVERYONE else hehehe yeh n e wayz so last night was HORRIBLE i went to bed around 11ish and couldn't sleep so i went upstairs and had tea (MMmmmmm tea) and then i went upstairs and watched tv wit my dad and stepmom and then went back to bed and i FINALLY got to sleep and then i had a nightmare (DON'T LAUGH lol) and then i woke up and i couldn't get back to sleep the whole night and finally got to sleep around 4ish and so i got 3 hours of sleep... i was sooo tired and then when i got home my mom let me sleep one more hour so i missed to periods but lo i really don care that much... and so if you think... (common leslie you can do it) then o had FOUR hours of sleep... so all day i've been sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo tired and right now i think i'm gonna leave and do my homework and then GO TO BED even though its like 8:15... i'll b in bed about 9ish haha yeh ok n e wayz

BEKA:hello buddybuddy... i haven't talked t u in a long time lol n e wayz yeh you have to talk you mom in to letting you sleep over on saturday PLZZZZZZ LUV YA

TASHA: hi... you also have to come on saturday b cuz it'll b no fun without you and so far only mikes coming lol but i haven't invited josh or chris or cody and i've KIND of invited caitlin but yeh thats all


ok i'm done now cuz i'm SOOO tiredê