During the French Revolution, the people of France had witnessed many different forms of government- absolute monarchy, constitutional monarchy and a republic. Thus, as a key phase in any revolution, a dictatorship will arise who says he will meet the people’s desperate needs. This was Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon rescued France from the toils of the revolution. He was also a child of the Enlightenment and used many of its ideals during his rule. Ideas such as establishing a national bank, organizing public education and employing natural rights upon the people give Napoleon the title of last enlightened despot.
For hundreds of years before Napoleon’s reign, the economy of France was in shambles. The largest populated country in Europe was ironically the biggest count
. . .
He reestablishes old taxes and pays back old debts. The Napoleonic Code would be felt all throughout Europe, for it was put into effect under the countries he conquered; and, it was also proved to be the most influential. Napoleon would be the first leader to make lasting improvements in finance. Every Napoleonic State had an academy for the arts and sciences. The Napoleonic Code also abolished serfdom and guaranteed the people’s right in choosing their occupation, no matter what class one was born in; while, government officials would be chosen by merit, not birth.
Keeping in mind that education will create the smartest man, Napoleon improves France’s education system. He used human reasoning, an essential concept in enlightened thinking, and established the Banque Nationale de Paris. He also settled the problem of inflating food prices. It also reaffirmed the revolutionary principles of equality before the law, freedom of religion and abolishment of class privilege.
The best example of Napoleon’s social reform is the Napoleonic Code. These schools were free and higher education was opened to all who qualified, regardless of class or religion. Each Napoleonic State was also granted a constitution that exercised universal male suffrage, parliament and a bill of rights. However, his numerous taxes and wars would prevent people from seeing these great reforms until his fall in 1815.
Approximate Word count =
535
Approximate Pages =
2 (250 words per page double spaced)
Simply subscribe to view this paper, and 100,000 others.
| CREDIT CARD |
ONLINE CHECK |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JOIN BY PHONE
|
|
|