The Rise of Napoleon

Napoleon was a self mad man of immense talent and ambition From a minor Italian noble family on the island of Corsica Set out to prove he was equal of every Frenchman he encountered in his military academy and the army Had a quick mind that excelled in practical subjects that combined with supreme confidence

Napoleon earned his first fame with the Italian campaigns Followed up his success with a bold move by invading Egypt in 1789-1799 He abandoned his men in Egypt and found his way to France in time to take part in the overthrow of the Directory

Napoleon’s coup d’etat of Brumaire succeeded in creating a new government, the Consulate He was chosen 1st consul, and quickly outmaneuvered the other two consuls In 1801 proclaimed himself consul for life

Napoleon’s Domestic Policies He consolidated his power and in 1804 crowned himself emperor He implemented policies from the top down with little democratic input and disregarding individual rights

Governance and Administration Created a constitution for the Consulate and then the Empire Laws were enacted by the Legislative Corps but could not be debated Centralized his administration by having prefects that ran each of the 83 departments and reported directly to Paris

Napoleon used plebiscites to show that people agreed with Napoleon’s proclamations for the empire He would not stand any interference with his rule

Legal and Social Policies Napoleon announced “careers open to talent” Created a Legion of Honor to recognize the contributions of those who served in the revolutionary wars

Napoleonic Code Perhaps his most significant accomplishment Created a single law code for all of France, and the nations which he conquered Reinforced patriarchy and limited the rights of women

Economic and financial policies Modernized the infrastructure of France However, his efforts at industrial stimulation proved less successful

Educational policies Established a nationwide system of secondary schools, called the lycee National system of technical universities were also begun

Religious Policies Ended the war between the Revolution and the RCC with the Concordat of 1801 The pope regained some control of the French clergy and Catholicsm was recognized as the majority religion of France The Church acknowledged the loss of its properties, and the French government retained a veto power over clerical appointments