How far did Napoleon follow Revolutionary values? - LEGAL/ADMIN

Question 1

Napoleonic Code

Answer 1

• Civil Code des Francais introduced March 1804

Question 2

How did the Napoleonic Code confirm key revolutionary changes?

Answer 2

• Abolition of feudalism and removal of noble and Church privileges
• Secularism of the state
• Equality before the law and freedom of conscience

Question 3

How can the Napoleonic Code be undermined?

Answer 3

• Most controversial areas concerned re-establishment of male rights; clauses which showed a strong influence of Roman law
• Father/husband confirmed head of family
• Children subordinate to father until marriage and could be imprisoned by him
• Female rights of inheritance restricted
• Although Napoleon outlawed seigneurial dues and other servile obligations of the peasantry, in practice they persisted in most of France

Question 4

Civil Code on land? How did this follow revolutionary ideas?

Answer 4

• Granted titles to owners of confiscated Church land
• Ensured the equal division of land between all male heirs
• Emphasis of legality of holders of property of land was an idea raised during the Revolution

Question 5

Livret

Answer 5

• Workmen were made subject to close supervision through use of the livret
• Goes against revolutionary value of not placing restrictions on workers

Question 6

How was liberty oppressed via censorship?

Answer 6

• ‘Administrative police’
  responsible for general surveillance
• By 1801, only 4 newspapers allowed to Publish in Paris from 73 in January 1800
• Sensors appointed to each paper from 1809 and nobody was allowed to discuss controversial subjects
• Only official news and military bulletins could be published

Question 7

How did Napoleon follow revolutionary values via the legal system?

Answer 7

• 1808 code of criminal procedure confirmed the principle of trial by jury

Question 8

How did Napoleon’s prefects follow revolutionary values?

Answer 8

• Prefects chosen for talents rather than their politics (although moderate values were preferred)
• 257 prefects appointed from 1800-1812, 68% had been employed in some capacity by former revolutionary governments; majority were either bourgeoisie or former nobility

Question 9

Overall conclusion

Answer 9

• Napoleon aimed to bring order
• His administrative reforms were built on the foundations of revolution but also brought back hints of the centralisation of the Ancien Regime