Napoleon and His Reforms: Hero or Traitor to the Revolution?

1. Napoleon and His Reforms: Hero or Traitor to the Revolution? Document A Napoleon took power in France in 1799 following the chaos of the Reign of Terror and five years of weak governments. By 1805 Napoleon had not only stabilized France, but he had issued his own set of landmark laws and conquered an Empire for France that consisted of most of Europe. Napoleon had French law re-written. In order to streamline the confusing, sometimes repetitive elements of French law, had the law of the land codified in one supreme law. Document B One of Napoleon’s main goals was to fix the economy and reform France’s finances. Napoleon ended runaway inflation and stabilized prices. Under Napoleon the French people could afford to eat. Napoleon began state sponsored projects building roads and canals. Napoleon also established a national bank where people could keep, invest, and borrow moneywhich still exists to this day. The tax system before Napoleon had forced the peasants to pay the most while the nobility was exempt. Napoleon reformed the tax structure so that no person could be exempt from taxes because of birth or privilege. In 1802, Napoleon was successful in achieving the balancing of the budget in France. Document C Napoleon focused on public education in France for all children. Schools were built allowing all to gain an education. This was a crucial development becausein Napoleon’s France one received their job based upon ability not family connections. For children whose fathers had been killed in battle, Napoleon ordered the state to pay for the children’s care and education. Document D Napoleon brought order to French society by giving strength to the central government (himself). In 1804 Napoleon invited the Pope to Paris to crown Napoleon Emperor of France for life. Once the Pope arrived, however, Napoleon took the crown from the Pope’s hands and placed the crown on his own head in essence saying that his power comes only from himself and he is below no one. Document E When Napoleon Bonaparte seized power in France in 1799, he quickly attemptedto gain control of public opinion. He did this, in part, by censoring (restricting) newspapers,plays, and books. His aids were ordered to review news sources and literaryworks to make sure he was cast in a favorable light. Napoleon’s secret policeenforced his policies. People were not always allowed to speak freely against Napoleon’s government. Document F Rene Montesat — Lawyer “Thank the heavens for the Napoleonic Code. Today we once again have order in our courts. Napoleon has taken the best ideas of the revolutionaries and married them to traditional law. He has thrown out the unmanageable dreams of the revolutionary rabble and now we once again have an orderly system of law. Sure Napoleon does rig the votes in the national elections, but so what, at least his laws make sense and we have order. Document G Bishop Guy Levesque — Catholic Priest “Since the rise of Napoleon and his signing of the Concordat I am living a new life. No longer am I hunted by the people of the revolution. God once again has a place in the sun and in the lives of the French. He made the right decision in making Catholicism the religion of all the French.” Document H Marie Du’Franc – former revolutionary “Napoleon is not part of the revolution that I fought so hard for. Sure we have order, stability, and money, but where are our freedoms of speech and right to vote and change the government?”

2. Napoleon and His Reforms: Hero or Traitor to the Revolution Name _________________ Directions: Use the sources on the other side to answer the following questions. What are two of the accomplishments of Napoleon listed in Document A? In Document B, how did Napoleon fix the French economy and tax system? Looking at Document B, how did his reforms relate to Enlightenment /Revolution ideas or did they not? Explain. Using Document C, explain how Napoleon changed the education system. Describe Napoleon’s actions in Document D and whether they did or did not reflect Enlightenment and Revolution ideas. How does Napoleon gain control and influence public opinion in Document E? Do the things he did to control public opinion and speech reflect Enlightenment and Revolution ideas? Explain. Using document F, what is a positive and negative effect of Napoleon’s rule ? How did the Catholic Church and Catholicism position in French society change under Napoleon? Why does the person in Document H believe Napoleon has betrayed the Revolution? Using your notes and these sources, explain whether Napoleon did or did not continue the ideas of the Revolution/Enlightenment. (3 or more sentences)