Napoleon Bonaparte: Directory to Consulate
The Directory Corrupt – only 5 men making decisions People starving Needed a change War in Europe was still continuing
Napoleon Bonaparte Name: Napoleon Bonaparte Nicknames: The Little Corporal, The Corsican Date of Birth/Death: August 15, 1769 in Ajaccio, Corsica/ May 5, 1821 Spouses: Josephine (1796) Marie-Louise (1810) Graduated from the French Military Academy at 16 (5 years earlier than most) As a boy, he hated the French 5’2 inches tall
Napoleon and the Directory Elected leader of the French army in the war against Austria/Prussia Put down royalist revolt in Paris (revolt against the National Convention) Captured Egypt to cut off British trade (naval forces defeated) Napoleon managed to keep the naval defeat secret Became extremely popular with the people
Overthrow of the Directory (Coup d’etat) Directory had lost control of the political situation in France Friends wanted him to take political power 1799-Troops surrounded the legislature and forced most members to leave The government was turned over to Napoleon He formed ANOTHER government….The Consulate
The Consulate A plebiscite vote (vote of the people) held in 1800 approved the new Constitution New Constitution: Executive branch 3 consuls Napoleon-1 st consulate (concentrated power) Legislative: Several bodies 1802: Napoleon names himself Consul for Life
Reforms under the Consulate Efficient method of tax collection National Banking System (Bank of France) - Everyone paid taxes, government made loans to businesses, leveled inflation Dismissed corrupt officials Created lycees (government-run public schools) - open to all male students
Reforms Under the Consulate Concordat 1801 Definition: government recognized the influence of the Catholic Church Rejected church influence in governmental affairs Napoleon received support from the church Napoleonic Code Definition: comprehensive system of laws which eliminated many injustices.
The Napoleonic Code Religious toleration Advancement based on merit, not birth Trial by jury All citizens equal under the law However…… Limited liberty and promoted order and authority over individual rights *Women inferior, censorship* Restored slavery in the colonies in the Caribbean Placed state above the individual!
Napoleon Declared Emperor declares himself emperor Pope was present to crown him But… Napoleon crowned himself emperor What did this signify?? Napoleon thought himself more powerful than the Church NAPOLEON CREATES AN EMPIRE!!