Napoleon: Consulate Flashcards
How did the Consuls set to work on the new constitution?
Sieyes proposed that Napoleon should be the new figurehead.
Napoleon refused and argued there must be a First Consul, with complete control, in peace and in war, and he must be that Consul.
Sieyes wanted the other consuls to have an equal vote, but Napoleon insisted they should have only the right to express an opinion.
How did Napoleon explain his reasons for seizing power?
To make the republic loved by its own citizens, respected abroad and feared by its enemies.
The new constitution was based upon the true principles of representative government and on the sacred rights of property, equality and liberty.
The powers it sets up will be strong and lasting.
How did the constitution not really have universal suffrage?
The suffrage was so indirect as to be of little significance in relation to the idea of popular sovereignty.
The references to a constitution based on representative government were merely words.
Democratic involvement in the elections was minimal.
There was the appearance of male suffrage, but no elections, only presentation of candidates suitable for appointment as deputies, and the choice was restricted to notables.
What was the role of the First consul?
Appoints and removes ministers, initiates all legislation, can declare war and make peace.
Nominates the council of state and Senate.
What was the Council of State?
30-40 members chosen by the first Consul.
They nominate all central and local officials and help to initiate legislation.
What was the senate?
60 members aged over 40 nominated by First Consul.
This was increased to 80.
They guarded the constitution.
What was the Tribunate?
100 members aged over 25, able to discuss legislation but cannot vote on it.
What was the Legislature?
300 members aged over 30, able to vote on all legislation in secret, unable to discuss it.
Who were the rest of the constitution?
6000 notables, the 10% chosen from the group below.
60,000 Departmental List, chosen from below.
600,000 Communal List, chosen from below.
6,000,000 Frenchmen aged over 21 had the right to vote.
How did Napoleon use the Senate?
The Senate had been intended by Sieyes as a brake on the executive, but under Napoleon it became an instrument of his personal power.
It was intended to be the guardian of the constitution, but was also able to amend it by Senatus Consultum.
Napoleon used this procedure extensively from January 1801 onwards to block the wishes of the Tribunate and the Legislature.
Who were the members of the Senate?
Senators were appointed for life, with a substantial salary.
They were rewarded with gifts of land and money, and enjoyed considerable prestige.
Membership increased from 80 to 140 by 1814, with most additional members directly appointed by Napoleon.
It developed into a largely consultative body anxious to please Napoleon.
What was the Breton Chouan Bomb Plot?
December 1800, a former Breton Chouan planned to explode a bomb nearby Napoleon.
He was badly shaken but unharmed.
The Senate realised the fragile nature of the constitution depended on Napoleon.
As well as to demonstrate their gratitude, they offered him consulship for life, with the right to nominate his successor.
What happened with the plebiscite?
The decision of consulship was approved by plebiscite, and while there is no direct evidence of tampering, it is known that officials sent in results they thought would be pleasing to their superiors.
Sometimes they put a simple ‘yes’ where no election had been held.
Napoleon’s power increased immediately through his control of an enlarged senate, which became responsible for everything not provided by the constitution.
How did the Tribunate and Legislature lose power?
The enlarged senate greatly reduced the power of these representative bodies.
They lost importance and met less frequently.
The Tribunate was severely purged for criticising the Civil Code, and with a much reduced membership, became just a show.
The Legislature’s credibility was reduced for being ‘packed’ by Napoleon with ‘safe’ men, who would not oppose him.
What was the Duc d’Enghien assassination plot?
In 1804, this member of the Bourbon royal family was alleged to be involved in a plot to overthrow Napoleon by murdering him and taking over.
Napoleon ordered his kidnapping and was found, on inadequate evidence, guilty of conspiracy, and executed.
How did Napoleon use the assassination attempt?
In the Bonaparte family it was talked of making the consulship hereditary to provide for smooth succession and survival of the constitution following an untimely death of Napoleon.
A third plebiscite approved the change, with the government adding in half a million ‘yes’ voted on behalf of soldiers who might have otherwise opposed.
What was Napoleon’s new marriage?
Despite his fondness for her, Napoleon decided that a divorce to Josephine was essential, as she was too old to provide children.
In 1810 the church unwillingly agreed to their annulment.
The next year, Napoleon the King of Rome was born, the succession seemed assured.
Why was there economic reform?
There was a great need to establish financial stability, with there being only a few thousand francs in the treasury.
What were key appointments - economic reform?
Napoleon knew he lacked the skills to manage the economy and so appointed Gaudin as Minister of Finance 1799.
Barbe Marbois was appointed to the Treasury.
Both these appointments brought stability, and also meant there was a clear distinction between the roles.
How were Direct Taxes reformed?
Collection of taxes was taken away from local authorities and became the responsibilty of a centralised organisation.
Land tax remained one of the largest forms of revenue.
Land registries were made more efficient and a more detailed tax register drawn up.
These made sure revenue was more evenly spread but did little to increase income.
How were indirect taxes reformed?
Many of these had been abolished by the Constituent Assembly, however facing mounting defecits, the Directory had reintroduced them on certain goods.
This was expanded further by Napoleon, among the goods taxed would be tobacco, alcohol and in 1806 salt was added.
This revived memories of the hated gabelle under the ancien regime.
Revenue from indirect taxes increase by 400% from 1806-12, accounting for 25% of the revenue.