The Napoleonic Consulate (1799-1804) Flashcards
the consul and the consulate
Sieyes planned to eliminate parliamentary elections and proposed a system of co-optation. before doing this, however, he had to consul with Bonaparte. Napoleon had plans of his own as Sieyes was to find out.
Napoleon’s career
born in 1969 to a minor noble family in Corsica. he was sent to a cadet school were he impressed people with his intelligence and willpower but his modest background did not really promise much promotions and high commands. when revolution reforms allowed for a career path based on talent he grabbed the opportunity. he got promoted to general after the Toulon in ‘93. Robespierre and his younger brother became his patrons. he was briefly imprisoned due to his affiliations and remained unemployed until ‘95 when his help was needed. He gained access to Barras’ political circle. he was given command over the French army in Italy where he showed tremendous success and his best qualities. after he negotiated a piece with the Austrians in ‘97 he was kept at an arm’s length by the directory. in ‘98 he eagerly took the command and went to Egypt. after receiving news on the happenings of ‘99 he went back to Paris.
the institutions of the consulate
Napoleon’s stumbling performance at the coup led many to underestimate his political skills. he argued to Sieyes that real power should be in the hands of one man. he insisted on creating a strong executive branch headed by three consuls, with first consul with more powers. Napoleon became the first consul due to his popularity, some minor figures were appointed as the other two and Sieyes was the head of the basically powerless Senate.
consolidation of power
Napoleon moved to eliminate the factions formed during the revolution. he muzzled political press and used police to curb the extreme right and left. he established a streamlined government that was effective in responding to events. he strengthened the centralization by creating prefects who were rotated from one post to another to avoid attachments. the council of state became the real lawmaking body who held secret meetings. when he had approved a law public debates became more of a formality. he also recruited talented ministers (C. Gaudin, A. Berthier, J.A. Chaptal, Talleyrand, Fouche). the campaign against rural disorder was intensified and peasants became more willing to assist the forces of order. his repressive methods ensured no royalist or revolutionary resurgence. economic revival continued. Bank of France was established in 1800. in 1803 new gold coins were issued. Napoleonic settlement system appeased many.
the peace of Amiens and the Concordat
In June 1800 Napoleon’s victory in Marengo restored France’s control over Northern Italy. this also ended Napoleon’s opposers’ chance at undermining him. Austrians in lost in 1800 at Hohenlinden and agreed to the treaty of Luneville in 1801. this led to the redrawing of borders. in 1802 Britiain signed a treaty at Amiens with some colonial gains but admitted that France had continental dominance. in May 1802 Napoleon passed a law that repealed the conventions 1794 decree abolishing slavery. Saint-Domingue, despite all the efforts, was eventually declared independent and named Haiti. this resulted in the Louisiana purchase to avoid the colonies ending up under the British or Spanish and the US gained even more power.
Napoleon had no firm religious beliefs but he set out to solve those issues. in July 1801 the Concordat was successfully completed to which the Organic Articles were added. in 1806 he convoked a Jewish congress to clarify relations. in 1802 Legion of Honor was created. in 1804 the Code Napoleon was introduced.
elements of opposition
the opposition worked under the surface against the increasing authoritarianism. the major Ideologue group’s thinkers became the core of the opposition. in 1802 the supporters of such thinkers were removed from the councils and in 1803 he suppressed the Third Section of the Institute. Napoleon tried to find support among the now seriously faithful Catholic leaders but it was not too successful. social thinker and romantic artists were united only in their shared distaste of the imperial regime. royalist sentiment kept gaining popularity as many wrote about more conservative ideals and benefits.
