17. Political Changes- Napoleon's Rule 1799-1815

Question 1

What did Napoleon do in 1800 to consolidate his position?

Answer 1

Wanted to ratify (confirm) the Constitution of Year VIII in a plebiscite to show his concern over democratic processes after the Coup of Brumaire.
While the actual vote had a low turnout, Napoleon’s brother rigged it, showing the electorate overwhelmingly was in support.

Question 2

How else aside from the plebiscite did Napoleon strengthen his position?

Answer 2

Acted like a Monarch, moved into the Tuileries and minted coins with his image, selected members of the Council of State nd introduced prefects to strengthen the central control in the existing framework.

Question 3

In what ways did Napoleon use repression and who against?

Answer 3

Jacobinism wasn’t tolerated and 129 leaders were arrested and deported.
Dealt firmly with the royalist revolts, took 6,000 Chouan prisoners and shot 750.
Killed the duc d’Enghien after an assassination attempt.
Was criticised by Liberals such as Madame de Stael and banished her from Paris.
Used curbs on press freedoms to control criticism.

Question 4

How did Napoleon use reconciliation to control France?

Answer 4

Reconciliated with the Catholic Church, promised to protect their religion and offered rewards to refractory priests and emigres.
Reconciled with the purchasers of the bien national by changing the vote to give them more influence and that they wouldn’t restore Church land.
1802 peace with Britain brought respite from the war.

Question 5

How was Napoleon’s position originally changed?

Answer 5

Napoleon offered the Consul for Life and the Constitution of Year X demonstrated national gratitude to Napoleon. Accompanied by another plebiscite which showed strong support for him.

Question 6

What happened in 1804?

Answer 6

Napoleon became Emperor of the French after claiming it was done with public support. A plebiscite along with the Constitution of Year XII showed almost unanimous support for Napoleon. Crowned himself in Paris 1804 and then again in Milan 1805 as King of Italy.

Question 7

What were the constitutional developments at the time?

Answer 7

Napoleon had began to block the Tribunate and Legislative Body using senatus consultum and had filled the Senate with ally’s in 1801.
In 1802 Napoleon purged the Bodys, removing members and splitting the Tribunate.
Changed the voting in Constitution of Year X to increase voting power of ‘notables’. Abolished the Tribunate in 1810 and Ligislative in 1813.