Sunday, Dec 07, 2014
- Napoleon and the Consulate: 1799-1804
- The First Consul
- Napoleon quickly took command of the new government. As first consul, he held all the power and made all the decisions.
- Napoleon’s popularity continued to rise as he restored order, stimulated prosperity, and defeated the Second Coalition.
- Grateful voters overwhelmingly endorsed Napoleon’s rule. He successfully used the democratic process to destroy democracy.
- Secure in his power, Napoleon enacted policies designed to transform France into an efficient modern state.
- It is interesting to note that in many ways Napoleon embodied the philosophe’s concept of an enlightened despot.
- The Napoleonic Code
- Napoleon’s legal experts consolidated hundreds of local law codes into a uniform legal code that is still the basis of French law.
- The new code guaranteed many achievements of the French Revolution, including equality before the law, freedom of religion, the abolition of privilege, and the protection of property rights.
- The code increased the authority of husbands within the family. Women and children were legally dependent on their husband or father. For example, women could not buy or sell property without consent of their husbands.
- The Concordat of 1801
- Napoleon understood the importance of ending the strained relationship between the French government and the Catholic Church.
- The Concordat of 1801 granted the Catholic Church special status as the religion of “the majority of Frenchman.” The Pope regained the right to confirm church dignitaries appointed by the French government, depose French bishops, and reopen religious seminaries.
- In return, the Pope recognized the French government and accepted the loss of church properties confiscated during the Revolution.
- The Loss of Liberty
- Napoleon censored the press and suppressed all political opposition.
- Despite the loss of individual liberties, France enjoyed security, stability, and prosperity.
- Supported by a grateful nation, Napoleon declared himself emperor on December 2, 1804.