NAPOLEON DOMESTIC POLICY AND CONSOLIDATION OF POWER Flashcards
democratic / equal features of the constitution 1800
- adequate representation
- accountability - rotated office in tribunate and legislature
- laws are voted on by secret ballot
- laws needed all branches of government to be passed
- ration of government to electorate is smaller - better representation
describe napoleon’s attitude to women in:
- education
- society
- law
education:
- degraded the educational position of women - domesticated them into being machines, and being ‘too weak’ for education
- felt that women should resign from society and educational initiatives in order to birth children
when did napoleon introduce a new censorship board
1810
what is the general directory of Cults
- established in 1801
- portalais = head
key words when discussing the concordat
- religious unity
- papal legitimacy
- alienation
- less radicalisation
- association with religion
- distancing from jacobin religious order of dechristianisation
- religious hierarchy
- fusion of church and state
give the names of some of the key supporters of the coup of brumaire, and how did they strengthen the coup
- ducos
- cambaceres
- tallyrand
- roederer
- fouche
- sieyes
how they helped the success:
- many of them were original revolutionaries - given this perception that the coup can help france get back on track and support original revolutionary aims - shows napoleon was returning to original revolutionary principles
- napoleon was now able to restore the revolution, but offer something different - induce excitement
- they were of noble origin – supporting many of the middle classes and are representative figures (all had different origins)
- they were all united in their views – contrasts a fragmented france
what was napoleon’s aim with the education system and describe how the system changed with napoleon
- idea of functional utility - the skills and education gained in the schooling system must later benefit france (investing to obtain a decent return)
how it changed:
- centralised schooling to ensure that it followed ideas of patriotism and loyalty to the state
- provided opportunity to middle classes and nobles
- schooling was much more based on outcome (not for individual benefit, but for the benefit of the state - emphasis on the state and collectivist approach to france – unity and cohesion)
- the content promoted in educational systems was strictly controlled in order to limit academic freedom (uniformity of opinion)
- there were still private run church schools, but their curriculum was limited
describe the constitution of the Year 10 of 1802
- this formalised the change to invoke the hereditary principle in august 1802
- it meant that napoleon would be able to create a dynasty and continuity of his empire, and not threaten his individual control
- 3,600,000 v 8272 against plebicite
- becomes CONSUL FOR LIFE
what were the lycees schools and who attended these universities
- schools which would educate later military personel
- emphasis on military discipline
- 1/3 of places went to sons of soliders and servants - loyalty
- 2/3 were picked from the best students – benefits middle classes
describe the change in membership of the senate from 1799-1814
80 members of the senate in 1799
140 members of senate in 1814
- the senate only consulted laws and always felt the need to please napoleon
describe political changes under napoleon until 1804
- 1800 - introduction of the constitution
- 1802 = reforms the electoral system (it wanted to have representatives to bridge the people and the government)
- 1802 = introduction of the hereditary principle
- 1804 = napoleon becomes emperor on may 18th 1804
how did napoleon’s education reforms favour specific sections of society
- he would provide rewards to scientists (ie LAPLACE was elevated to the senate, and legion of honour, and CHAPTAL was made a senator)
- those who had originally supported the coup of brumaire were prioritised in terms of education, and would serve in government (cronyism and political favours)
date of the coup of brumaire and its outcome
9th-10th november 1799
- a 3 man executive council is formed of Napoleon, Ducos and Sieyes
- executive power is strengthened - centralisation of power
describe the change in social structure under napoleon
- 19th may 1802 = introduction of the legion of honour (idea of pride in empire and destiny of france)
consisted of:
- people with the legion of honour
- notables
- the imperial nobility
- the social heirarchy violated this idea of having a dominant class in france - links back to the ancien regime
describe the civil code and what were the key things it declared
- introduced on 21st march 1804
- when discussing its formulation, napoleon was at 50% of discussions (would ensure loyalty when debating) - idea of using talent in policy formulation
- aimed to impose legal uniformity and cohesion which would contrast pre-revolutionary law and order, to create and enforce stability
declared:
- UNITED french and roman law
- was influenced by roman law, advocating for more authoritarian approaches to the law (no unions)
- equality before the law
- entrenched male rights to property
- entrenched authority of man over a woman and children (la puissance maritale)
- lack of liberty and equality for black workers, with the reintroduction of french slavery
- confirmed the ABOLITION OF FEUDALISM
- secularisation of the state
- those who bought biens nationaux (binding material interests of revolutionaries with the law) land were given fixed legal titles (loyalty)
- equal division of estates among male heirs
- rights of women in divorce and inheritance were reduced
describe education in france, before napoleon came into power
- education was concentrated and focused on middle classes - centralised
- schools were not positively recieved, because of the lack of mandate of the directory
- no educational consistency
- inadequate funding and low teaching quality (dechristianisation campaigns hindered available teaching quality)
what are the strengths of the constitution of the year VIII
- different bodies of government
- bicameral structures to legislature would ensure different opinions
- would hopefully install a sense of checks and balances
- strong executive - exercise proper control over france, and not tolerate a lack of law and order - requirements to be in gov
- high age requirements to enter government = knowledge of original revolution and will pursue such values - blocking powers
- in theory, the power of a senatus consultum to guard the constitution and (in theory) promote checks and balances
- would install a system of checks and balances
- there is a degree of a separation of power
give the key statistic about prefects from 1800-1812
257 prefects from 1800-1812
what does the civil code show about the society and environment napoleon wanted to create
- wanted to create a meritocracy and this idea of reward (LoH)
- wanted to have the endless support of original revolutionaries (through biens nationaux)
- a strong, imposing state which nobody would threaten, thereby introducing social stability
- protection of individual rights in order to suppress discontent
- introduce a stricter code
give the name of napoleon’s education minister
fourcroy
how did napoleon ensure that colleges and schools had a good reputation
- he would rearrange institutions into sections, and would not allow dissenters to be involved in teaching
- in 1803, he reinstalled the second class institute which would aim to restore prestige in france
when did napoleon get remarried
2nd april 1810
- napoleon limit media coverage for this event to prevent obtaining scrutiny
describe the prefect system in france under napoleon (in detail)
- created in february 1800
- they were created to impose authority in departments, and were appointed by the first consul
- they mirrored the use of the intendants in the ancien regime, with their role being to lead administration in departments, by leading tax collection, industry, agriculture etc
- they were to report on opinions of the government, implement government orders, report on behaviour and spread pro-napoleonic propaganda
- the majority of the prefects were former bourgeoisie (again, giving the bourgeoisie positions of responsibility and necessity, centralising power with them to create loyalty)
describe napoleon’s emphasis on male education and give stats
- opened lycees
-secondary schooling was provided for boys aged 10-16 - 37 schools initially, opened up to 45
2 key words for the concordat
- amalgame - unite new and old nobility for unity and loyalty
- ralliement - rally people around a new regime to have loyalty and political enthusiasm
what was the imperial nobility
- a group established in 1808
- their function was for state service
- by 1814, 3200 imperial titles had been created
- 58% of the people given these titles were members of the bourgeoisie, 60% from nobility
- could be given land from empire as a reward
- opportunity was based on success and service, not ability and class
- there is NOT a return to a class society
- enforces the idea of a meritocracy and the need to earn a title
what are the weaknesses of the constitution of the year VIII in terms of:
- representation
- centralised power
- lack popular support
- representation
- no direct representation of public (esp women), diminishing popular sovereignty / universal sufferage
- there were no elections
- there were only 400-500 members of the government under this new system, compared to a 6 million electorate
- the choice of candidates for government was restricted to notables - centralised power / politicisation
- first consul could pack senate full of loyalist supporters
- centralised power of first consul to appoint council of state and senate - lacked popular support
- only 20% of the population supported the new constitution, due to immense political apathy
- votes were doctored - doubled yes votes, added 500,000 more yes votes
- the open ballot nature allowed intimidation and coercion to be used to force a subscription to the constitution
describe the 1802 hereditary principle
- napoleon created the consulship for life position, giving himself to nominate a successor to establish continuity (the successor he chose would be a part of his family)
- this expanded napoleon’s personal power
- napoleon followed this through by holding state ceremonies in 1803 to display this lavish culture in france
what number of people in toulon purchased biens nationaux
33%
what was the employment record which black workers needed to obtain
the livret
what did napoleon’s education reform of october 1803 do
- private secondary schools had to accept the influence of administrative councils (who were controlled by the government), in order to ensure that private secondary schools would not align themselves with the church and challenge napoleon’s power
describe the main educational reforms made by napoleon from 1799-1804, and describe each reform
- law of may 1st 1802
- centralised / unified schooling
- established central schools, and introduced a hierarchy of schools, with more communal schools built, not led by a central leader, but by local administrators
- expanded public universities
- 45 new schools established - local, public schools run by local municipality
- secondary schooling for boys provided
- established specialist courses in arts, technology, medicine etc
describe the 3 plebiscites from 1800-1804, and what does this display about napoleon’s consolidation of power?
1800:
7th feb: held a vote for or against the year VIII constitution (despite already being enforced)
- 3 million votes yes, 1562 votes no - doctored by lucien
- only 20% of the electorate voted
- used to enforce popular sovereignty
shows:
- he relied on trying to display he was using proper political procedure in his first 4 years to display his emphasis / respect on democracy and popular sovereignty
- viewed proper political procedure as the only way of gaining legitimacy
- appearance vs reality
1802:
4th august 1802
- plebicite introduced to propose the idea of a constitution to invoke the hereditary principle
- 3,600,00 to 8272 against - overwhealming support for the continuity and consolidation of napoleonic power
- 40% of the no votes came from the army
1804:
- 18th may 1804 napoleon is allowed to become emperor of france
- a plebicite is held in november to authorise the change for napoleon
- 2nd december = he was actually crowned
- the army was not allowed to vote here
*idea of the appearance of popular sovereignty and representation
- plebiscites were used to gain popular support and display how napoleon was ‘protecting’ the revolution
what was the legion of honour and give the 2 key examples
- created on the 19th may 1802
- it was a reward in society for people who provided a service for france (ie LaPlace)
- it united original revolutionaries (ie LANNES becoming DUKE OF MONTEBELLO)
- this elite was flexible, and did not create an entrenched social and feudal order
- OVERARCHING EMPHASIS PLACED IN SERVICE TO THE STATE - create a system of loyalty to entrench power
what / who were notables
- these were married men between 40-60, who were people that benefitted and purchased from the biens nationaux
- they served in military and service administration
- their role was to carry out a service to the state and enforce control - they benefitted from the revolution, and therefore felt obliged to provide a service to the state
- their job was to mould imperial subjects and enforce superiority of the napoleonic government
- removed inherited benefits
- they were sympathetic toward the original revolution, and therefore willing to be loyal to napoleon, because they thought he was the only person who could do so
*this followed the revolution by putting an emphasis on property rights
- it helped to fuel loyalty for the revolution
was brumaire a turning point in the revolution
yes:
- momentous - changing government and centralising power
- return to ancien regime style
no:
- still an intense level of political apathy
- there was no more legitimacy and popularity of this government – the revolution could not be restored
- there was still intense amounts of violence in countryside
- the middle classes were still being appeased
- france was so immune to changing governments that there was no excitement
describe the coup of brumaire
- napoleon arrives back in france, after victories in italy and egpyt in 1799
- siyes and napoleon discuss a coup, in order to overthrow the directory and strengthen the executive (because the directory is so weak and unable)
- on the 9th november, siyes and nap pursuade the council of ancients and council of 500 that there was a foreign plot to destroy the republic and that they needed to go to saint cloud
- the councils move to saint cloud
- all members of the directory are arrested or forced to resign (the directory is discintigrated)
- napoleon enters the council of ancients to try and calm the council members - he is called a military dictator
- lucien (nap brother) tried to contain these cries and limit opposition to nap
- members of the council of 500 flee saint cloud, the council of ancients hear about this (and because the directory has been abolished), a 3 man executive is created (3 consuls)
describe the council of state formed in the constitution of the year VIII
COUNCIL OF STATE:
- consists of 30-40 members
- all members are chosen by the first consul
- they initiate legislation
- they nominate central and local officials - in charge of local and national administration
what military school was set up by napoleon and when
- ecole speciale militaire
- established in 1803
describe the concordat with details
15th July 1801, publicised in April 1802
details:
- napoleon would make all nominations of archbishops and bishops
- pope was the head of the catholic church
- SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE TO END
- roman catholicism became the religion of the majority, allowing it to be freely and openly practiced
- all church lands taken which were originally nationalised could not be taken back and seized by church
- the revolution and its gains were now protected by the church
- bishops were to submit an oath of loyalty to the government
- suitable + higher salaries introduced for bishops and parish priests
- french dioceses were organised
- parish clergy appointments needed government approval (loyalty)
describe the IMPORTANCE of the concordat (3)
- the pope (chiaramonti) legitimised brumaire and napoleon
- france was now reconciled with the church (after jacobins), which would allow for amalganation and ralliement
3.religious power was now all manifested with napoleon, because of the secularisation of the church and fusion of church and state, giving napoleon control over religious policies and excersise
describe the legislature formed under the constitution of the year VIII
lower legislature: TRIBUNATE
- consists of 100 members
- all aged over 25
- they discuss legislation, but DO NOT vote on legislation
- re-newed by a 5th each year (ie 20 people per year)
upper legislature: LEGISLATURE
- consists of 300 members
- all aged over 30
- re-newed by a 5th each yar
- they DO vote on legislation, but using a secret ballot
- they DO NOT discuss legislation
motivation of napoleon to introduce the concordat
- wants to restore religious unity and allow for a religious mood in france
- napoleon can have the support of emigres and middle classes in france
- opportunity to fix political relations because Chiaramonti was elected in 1800
- pragmatism - the jacobin dechristianisation campaigns were fading, allowing people to have more religious sentiment - nap was adapting to this (ie vendee)
- reconciliate with the church which would expand control and legitimacy (the church would become an institution for napoleon to spread propaganda and heal divisions) - LEGITIMACY OF BRUMAIRE
- allow for amalgamation and reconciliation
- peace at luneville 1801 - opportunity for religious and military peace
describe religion in france by 1801
- deeply divided religious principles, (CCoC 1790)
- repressive and pessimistic view to the church (dechristianisation)
- hostile relations between pope and france because of the CCoC, and there was extreme alientation, for example of emigres
- catholicism is never properly restored in france
describe the civil code of 1804 and how this consolidated power
describe the organic articles
- articles published as a part of the concordat without the approval of the pope
- they basically enforced religious unity, toleration and support toward napoleon directly (for example, they linked ideas of divine right and reinforcing that napeolon was the highest figure
- they centralised power away from rome, and instead with a consular state
- restricted the rights of the pope in interfering with the revolution because napoleon was now in control of religious appointments
- the articles created a hierarchy of religious individuals in france of archbishops, bishops, priests etc
- france was divided into 10 archbishoprics, 60 bishoprics, with 3000 parishes
- expanded the power of the first consul in religious grounds
- pacified and suppressed the causes which were related to the downfall of the directory etc
*included things like the imperial catechism which installed unity within education (use religion to install loyalty within education)
describe 5 key pieces of evidence of napoleonic propaganda 1799-1804
- there were over 300,000 parisian and departmental readers of napoleon’s bulletins (le moniteur and le journal de paris)
- napoleon crossing the alps in 1801, painted by david (glorification, ordinary worker etc)
- 19th may 1802 = introduction of the first consul medal and the legion of honour - idea of glorification and commitment to the french public - 26 artists received this award
- use of lions, bees and eagles to display napoleon’s international presence - 500 marble busts were created a year
attitude of the civil code toward women and men
- entrenched the authority of men under roman law
- inferior attitude toward women, classifying them was ‘womb carriers’
- the civil code reintroduces this idea of a patriarchal bias and reintroduces antiquated ideas toward marriage
- children and women could be imprisoned by a man
how did napoleon’s educational policies follow and not follow the revolution
follow:
- embraced the enlightenment
- much more emphasis on collectivism and a uniform state
- enhanced rights of middle classes (original revolutionaries)
- erodes the power and influence of the church
not follow:
- still concentrated and benefitted an elite (ie military academies) - ie those who supported brumaire would benefit the most
- the purpose of education and its initiatives was to benefit france, not the individual
- excluded women - ruled against individual freedom
what 2 events threatened napoleon’s power
- napoleon escaped an assassination in 1800
*reinforced fragility of france post-brumaire
- he used this to justify the hereditary principle and the need for stability
- claimed that the continuation of the revolution was dependent on napoleon - 1804 duc d’enghien launched a royalist plot, before being kidnapped by supporters of napoleon and removed
- executed on the 20th march 1804
- displays napoleon using terror to limit threats, claimed that these threats were undermining the revolution and its values (justification by claiming they don’t want the return of a monarchy)
describe the senate formed in the constitution of the year VIII
SENATE:
- consists of only 80 members (who are appointed by the first consul)
- all senators are aged over 40
- they can select notables to become legislative deputies
- power for life
- power of senatus consultum
- have power to cancel law if it does not fit a political agenda
catagorise the purpose of napoleonic propaganda
- uphold a napoleonic myth
- desirability
- overthrowing napoleon was unrealistic
- humble portrayal
- godly / heroic portrayal - military reasons
- retain domestic support during war
- overshadow military mistakes - consolidate support
- legitimise himself
- reduce voice of opposition because of the way people regarded him
describe the first consul position formed in the constitution of the year VIII
FIRST CONSUL:
- holds all ministerial and political power
- initially appointed for 10 years, and allowed to be eligible again
- initiates all legislation, which is then passed onto the council of state
- given all foreign diplomatic power
- power of appointments and patronage to the senate and council of state - stronghold over senate = could not challenge exec power
- given power of security and defence
*other consul powers only have a consulative voice
autocratic features of the constitution of the year VIII
- created this image of popular sovereignty and popular liberty, but only gradually eroded these through centralising more power with himself
- centralised power with the first consul (defence, foreign relations and security) and power of appointments (ability to pack the senate full of loyalists)
- only really appeals to the bourgeoisie
- appointment of notables etc is only done by an elite group - concentrate power in hands of bourgeoisie
give 3 key statistics, names etc on napoleon’s censorship of the press
- parisian newspapers decreased from 73-13-9 by the end of 1800 (in 1801, only 4 were allowed to publish)
- police were given the authority to raid publishing houses and fine up to 2000 francs for the posession of illegal works
- napoleon hired david to paint the imperial coronation of 1804 and glorify his military battles
- name of key newspapers: le moniteur le journal de paris and bulletins de la grande armes (reinforce that napoleon would work long days - committment)
what is the senatus consultum power
the power to force through legislation by the senate and bypass the wishes of the tribunate and legislature
what did napoleon do to the senate and tribunate, and what did this mean for napoleon’s power
1802
- the tribunate was purged (for criticising the civil code), and the senate was enlarged, in order to remove elected members of the political climate in france, and allow napoleon to pack the senate full of supporters
- the tribunate and legislature (to vote and discuss laws) would meet less frequently and their membership decreased
in 1808, the tribunate was dissolved and abolished
- meant that napoleon’s power was now centralised with supporters, through the council of state and senate
- packs loyalists into political institutions
when was napoleon declared to be allowed emperor
- 18th may 1804
- the plebicite for him to hold this position was in november 1804 (which again achieved overwhealming yes support)
- on 2nd december, the pope crowned him to be emperor - imperialism and continuity
- claimed that being emperor would uphold individual liberties and rights and would protect the constitution
describe the concordat of 1801 and how this consolidated power
describe the purpose of napoleonic propaganda
- weapon of war - glorify french battles
- create solidarity
- inform public
- produce a favourable and heroic image of napoleon - portray napoleon as being one of the people (representative, understanding government)
- enforce this concept of a MYTH OF INVINCIBILITY which would increase national pride
- would silence his contenders for power, and reinforce napoleon’s credibility
- reflect the immense amount of reform and change under the revolution (pride)
- rejection of sensuality - reinforce the willingness of napoleon to sacrafice hat he has - patriotism, loyalty
- present napoleon as a defender of liberty (appeal to middle classes)
- reinforce this idea of devotion and commitment - avenue to obtain public trust
- his propaganda would have a naturally antiquated style to it to establish legitimacy
describe napoleon’s change to the electoral system in 1802
- males met to elect members for life in boards, of which these men had to choose from the 600 richest men in the department
- this would mean that rich men were given government positions, which would secure their loyalty to napoleon, as wealthy men were now packing the government
- this was justified by the claim of consolidating revolutionary gains and pleases original revolutionaries because original revolutionaries benefit from napoleon’s policies
bullet point the key factors which contributed to the success of the Brumaire coup
describe the constitution of the year VIII
25th december 1799
1. ELECTORATE
- electorate consisted of 6 million people, aged over 21 and who are french citizens
- electorate choose 10% for communal list
2. COMMUNAL LIST
- 600,000 members of communal list
- choose 10% of members for a departmental list
3. DEPARTMENTAL LIST
- 60,000 members
- choose 10% of themselves for the notables
4. NOTABLES:
- 6,000 people
- notables are selected by the senate to become deputies in legislature
*other institutions and political bodies include:
- the senate
- 2 bodies of a legislature
- the council of state
- the executive (first consul – sieyes is forced to concede to napoleon and can only express opinions, instead of having an equal vote)
name the economic institutions brought in by napoleon from 1800-1804
- bank of france 1800 (6th jan) (one central financial institution)
- march 1803 - franc de germinal - creates a coinage based currency for stability (gold to silver 1:15.5) - gave france the most stable currency in europe at the time (ie a NEW CURRENCY)
- land tax - created $250 million a year which was collected directly by the central government instead of provincial councils
- central excise office in 1804 - taxation on tobacco, alcohol
- chamber of commerce 1802
- national society formed in 1801 to promote commerce
give the 2 figures who were leading the economy in france aside from napoleon
- gaudin - minister of finance in 1799
- barbe-marbois – lead treasury in 1801
napoleon attitude to indirect taxation
once his power has been centralised, he adopts indirect taxation because of how controversial it was during the original revolution
describe napoleon’s early reforms to economics
- divided the ministry of finances to ensure checks and balances and prevent an accumulation of power
- Gaudin created a central authority to collect taxation
- the land tax became a more equal institution
- tried to strengthen bonds with empire (ie in the carribean and india in order to gain more materialistic wealth
give 3 specific statistics about economic growth when napoleon initially was consolidating his power
- wool industry increased yield by 400%
- 1803 - Louisiana is sold to the USA for 50 million francs, allowed for the cancellation of 18m of debt
- exported silk rises in value from 26m francs to 64m francs from 1790-1812
when did napoleon try to enter india and the carribean
1801 india
1802 carribean
*idea that these pursuits would place immense amounts of pressure on the peacetime economy and would require the extensive production of military supplies, which only increased the pressure placed on peacetime labour
why did the economy under napoleon not grow
- prioritisation of wartime industries, not domestic economics which would produce wealth
- nobody was investing in industry
- there were limited economic routes
