How far did Napoleon follow Revolutionary values? - ECONOMIC

Question 1

How did Napoleon fail to follow revolutionary values with fiscal policy?

Answer 1

• Indirect taxation was brought back (had been a policy during AR that caused revolution)
• Consequent indirect taxes on goods: alcohol, salt (AR) and tobacco quadrupled hitting working classes hard
• Targeted consumers and most people who needed these basic commodities rather than property owners who had the money to pay taxes with

Question 2

How did the centralisation of the economy under Napoleon resemble the AR?

Answer 2

• Cour des Comptes September 1807
• Central bureau for handling and auditing the state’s finances
• Had to have certified authorisation for release of money

Question 3

How did Napoleon’s financial reforms actually boost the economy and so follow revolutionary values?

Answer 3

• Stabilised the market
• Refused to honour agreements paid for in worthless paper money and declared only legal tender would be metal coinage
• Bank of France est. January 1800, main purpose to produce and control national currency of gold and silver coins
• Monetary control and responsible behaviour considerably boosted French economy by controlling sales of government bonds