Political Change Flashcards
What was the turnout for the vote in 1800? What were previous plebiscite turnouts?
25% (1.5 million people)
33% in 1793
22% in 1795
This suggests there was no immediate rush of enthusiasm for the new government.
What did Lucien do which made the result appear more legitimate?
Adjusted the statistics to suggest that 46% of the electorate had participated and supported Napoleon. Of the over 3 million votes that were supposedly cast, 99.9% voted yes.
How did Napoleons position/behaviour reflect pre-revolutionary government?
- He moved to the Tuileries Palace and had coins minted with his effigy on them, recalling the ancient Roman symbol of supreme authority.
- Napoleon selected members of the Council of State, awarding ministerial positions (eg. Fouché became minister of Police).
- He enjoyed ceremonies and entertained at state banquets.
What evidence suggests the consulate involved little practical change?
- Continuity of personnel between the directory and the new tribunals and legislative body.
- The structure of government remained the same and most civil servants continued their posts, to ensure stability.
- Napoleons introducment of prefects, who were responsible for representing central government in departments, merely strengthened central control.
- He supplied strong and effective government taken in the people’s best interests.
Who and how did Napoleon repress?
- Jacobinism was not tolerated. Spies were used to infiltrate potential groups and leaders. Fouché described some to be behind a failed assassination attempt of Napoleon on 10 October 1800. In 1801, 129 Jacobin leaders were arrested and deported. Civil servants thought to be Jacobin sympathisers were dismissed.
- Royalists had hopes that Napoleon would appoint the Comte de Province on the throne or Louis Phillipe d’Orleans. However Napoleon made it clear to the Comte de Province that he wouldn’t return to the throne in September 1800. Napoleon continued the use of military tribunals to deal with rebel leaders in protests against conscription and general banditry. General Brune was sent to deal with those who refused Napoleons truce. In Brittany, 6000 Chouan prisoners were taken and 750 shot in 1800. To ensure disorder was firmly addressed, he extended the responsibilities of the police and used prefects to report incidents of trouble. Pichegru and Cadoudal were implicated in assassination attempts of Napoleon between 1800-04. Napoleons spy network suspected duc d’Enghein who was found guilty of bearing arms against the republic and receiving funds from England.
- Some wanted a constitution which guaranteed rights such as freedom of speech and freedom of the press. A group of these liberals including Madame de Staël and Benjamin Constant irritated Napoleon so much in 1803 that he banished them to a distance of 64km from Paris.
What purpose did the plebiscite serve?
An opportunity to show concern for the democratic process and a retrospective justification for the coup of Brumaire.
What royalist threats did Napoleon face?
- There were at least two royalist assassination attempts where Jean Charles Pichegru (revolutionary war hero) and Georges Cadoudal (Chouan military leader) were implicated. Following a conspiracy in 1804, 18 aristocrats were imprisoned until 1814.
- On the anniversary of the kings death (21st January 1800) a senator was kidnapped and a constitutional bishop was assassinated.
- In 1804, Napoleon was wrongly informed of the involvement of a Bourbon prince in these conspiracies. Suspicions fell on the duc d’Enghien, who was kidnapped and accused of bearing arms against the Republic, receiving funds from England and plotting. He admitted the first two and was found guilty and shot in the ditch of Château de Vincennes.
How were liberals a threat?
Made de Staël, Necker’s daughter fled France during the Terror and returned under the Directory. She, along with Benjamin Constant, formed a salon for the discussion of liberal political ideas. Napoleon ordered Madame de Staël be banished from Paris. Criticisms as those raised by Staël were controlled by curbs on press freedom. These restrictions meant that it became almost impossible to voice any opposition in print.
How did Napoleon win the support of royalists and émigrés?
- He offered a generous amnesty to rebels in the wear who were prepared to lay down their arms and give support. He also promised to protect the Catholic religion.
- Made overtures to émigrés and refractory priests and offered rewards and posts to those who supported him.
How did Napoleon win the support of the borgeousie?
- He won the support of purchasers of the bien nationaux (land of church and émigrés).
- Changes to the vote gave them more influence, and were encouraged by pronouncements that there would be no attempt to restore emigre or church lands.
- Napoleon was successful in ending social divisions and rallying all around the regime.
What successes did Napoleon have abroad?
- A new opportunity for the propagandist exultation of Napoleons military heroism was provided by a success against Austrian forces at Marengo in 1800.
- Respite from constant war for the first time was offered by the 1802 peace of Amiens with Britain. This was popular with those members of the bourgeoisie whose interests were in trade.
How did the constitution of year X modify that of the directory?
In 1802, Napoleon was offered Consul for Life and the right to name his heir. It was a gesture of national gratitude to him and issued in the interests of stability, confidence and deterring enemies. It was accompanied by a plebiscite which had stronger support. 50% voted, in which 99.8% were in support of the constitution.
When was Napoleon confirmed as Emporer through the constitution of the Year XII? How much support was there for this in the plebiscite?
18th May 1804. The plebiscite had a turnout of 47% with 99.9% supporting.
Why was Napoleon confirmed as Emporer?
- This was in response to prudent councillors and the pressure of public opinion.
- After the presumption of war in 1803, this measure was put in place to mitigate the risk of Napoleon dying on the battlefield.
- The enemies of the state were dangerous so strong and stable leadership was necessary. For example, the conspiracy of the duc d’Enghien in early 1804.
Napoleon didn’t want the title of King, but wanted to be the founder of political dynasty, so took the title of Emperor.
How did Napoleon become emperor?
On 2nd December 1804, Napoleons coronation took place, in the Notre Dame Cathedral (as a way of separating himself from other French monarchs). The pope blessed Napoleon, but didn’t crown him, instead he did it himself and crowned Josephine empress. On 26th May 1805, Napoleon crowned himself again in Milan Cathedral for his rule as the King of Italy.
