Kristin Landeros Essays (1063 words) - House Of Bonaparte, Europe

Kristin Landeros Essays (1063 words) - House Of Bonaparte, Europe Kristin Landeros S. Gran HIST M180 Western Civilization Spring 2018 February 11, 2018 Napoleonic Rule The late 1700's was a time of great discontent in France. The people of France revolted against their government in an attempt to gain power in political decision making. In this time, France experienced many forms of governments as the people fought for change. It was during the 1790's that Napoleon Bonaparte became known to the people as a strong military leader. Taking advantage of his rising popularity, Napoleon became the ruler of France and eventually the ruler of an empire. Napoleon Bonaparte had a positive impact on France and Europe due to the military, political and economic stability he restored to France, the laws he put in place, the reforms he introduced to the European countries he conquered and his improvement of the education system. After a time of uncertainty in France brought about by the French Revolution, Napoleon restored the stability of France through the military. France had experienced a time of military failure during the 1790's when other European nations declared war on France. Napoleon emerged in this time as a skilled soldier and tactician. He led the French army to many victories from the time he became a commander, and later a general, in the army. These victories include wars in northern Italy and Egypt against the nations who declared war on France in an attempt to prevent a spread of revolutionary ideas in their own countries. Therefore, Napoleon's military success protected France's people and assisted France in defending the ideals of the French Revolution and Enlightenment. Napoleon also restored political stability by overthrowing the Directory, the French government in power from 1795 to 1799. The Directory was inefficient and ineffective because of corrupt members who lived in luxury while the people suffered. This government created inflation, increased taxes and forced the middle class to lend large sums of money to the government. Under the Directory, the people could not afford to pay for food. Riots broke out in the Paris streets as the poor protested the rising prices. Napoleon Bonaparte recognized that the people were not content with how the Directory governed and he acted to fix the problems. Napoleon was a strong leader who had control over the government and worked to make life better for the people. After restoring stability to France's political structure, Napoleon worked to strengthen the economic structure by reducing inflation. To achieve this, he placed controls on food prices, which eased the financial stress of the people. The economy was also strengthened when Napoleon enforced a law requiring all citizens to pay taxes and created the national Bank of France. The tax money was deposited into the bank and loans were made to businesses. Napoleon also strengthened France's infrastructure by building and improving roads and buildings. Napoleon's economic policies improved France's economy, reduced inflation and improved the standard of living for the people. Napoleon re-established old reforms and introduced new laws after he came into power. The Napoleonic Code, introduced in 1804, United many reforms of the French Revolution in one body of laws. This code had a positive effect on society because it gave all citizens equal rights under law and also gave them the right to work in any occupation. In addition, religious toleration was strengthened and the abolishment of feudalism continued in France. The Napoleonic Code is considered to be one of Napoleon's greatest accomplishments in his governing of France. The code recognized the demands and needs of the people, yet still continued to preserve Napoleon's control and power. Napoleon brought the benefits of the French Revolution to all of the European countries he conquered. He eliminated feudalism and encouraged equality. Peasants benefited because they no longer were forced to pay tithes to the nobility. Religious toleration was also introduced. All people benefited from this as religious persecution ended and they were allowed to choose what they wanted to believe in. The Napoleonic Code became the basis of law for these countries, which created equality among people. Napoleon also designed constitutions, created efficient governments and supported the growth of education in these conquered nations. The people achieved a say in political decision