During the summer of 1789, people around the world witnessed one of the most radical, and bloodiest revolution that would reinvent the ways of thinking and reasoning in the world. In the midst of chaos, one of the most controversial men in history rose through the military ranks and became the Emperor of France. His name was Napoleon Bonaparte. Historians have mixed opinions about Napoleon. Some say he upheld the values and goals of the French Revolution, some say he undermined them. During his reign, Napoleon made sure all men were born equal, and promoted meritocracy. Also, he spread revolution ideals and values to the rest of Europe through his conquest. Because Napoleon pushed for equality, advocate meritocracy, and spread revolution ideas
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One of the main goals of the French Revolution was for everybody to be equal. During the Old Regime, the Third Estate was suppressed by the First and Second Estate. They were the ones paying all the taxes even though they were hungry and poor. Meanwhile, the First and Second Estate were living a life of luxury and privilege. In 1789, the Declaration of The Rights of Man was passed by the National Assembly and declared that every man is equal. When Napoleon became the First Cousul, he constituted the Napoleonic Code, a unified system of law in Frace. In Glencoe World History, Spielvogel writes, “This code preserved most of the gains of the revolution by recognizing the principle of the equality of all citizens before the law” (p.545). The code promoted equal rights for all male citizens. Everyone was equal no matter who they were; therefore, no one had special rights or privileges. For example, the laws required all citizens to pay taxes. Napoleon wanted every citizen to share the responsibility of maintaining the French government. He didn’t want the burden to be only on the peasants. The laws Napoleon implanted about equality would strongly be supported and praised by the National Assembly. As great as the Napoleonic Code is, it has its flaws. The Napoleonic Code limited the rights of women. Women were completely dependent on their husbands. The reason …show more content…
Like mentioned previously, Napoleon was a brilliant military tactician. When he came to power, he quickly began his conquest of Europe. During his conquest, Napoleon overthrew the aristocratic system in Italy, Germany, Poland, Spain, and other Europe countries. It states in “Napoleon as Preserver of the Revolution”, “We much concede that his armies ‘liberalized’ the constitutions of many European countries” (Rude). In these countries, the nobles and the clergies lost their privileges, and Napoleon abolished the relics of feudalism in these countries. Additionally, the peasants supported Napoleon as he overthrew their government, for they were tired of their unjust government. Napoleon and his army influenced Europe with the ideals and goals of the French Revolution; hence, he advocated the revolution’s ideals and goals because why would he had spread the ideals and goals if he did not support it? On the other hand, a lot of people might argue that Napoleon undermined the values of the French Revolution because he crowned himself Emperor of France, and his conquest was to only satisfy his lust for power. Even though part of it was for self-gain, it was just a small detail in a big picture. The people in other countries were free from the absolute power of the king and the unfair laws of the monarchy. In short,
One of the main goals of the French Revolution was for everybody to be equal. During the Old Regime, the Third Estate was suppressed by the First and Second Estate. They were the ones paying all the taxes even though they were hungry and poor. Meanwhile, the First and Second Estate were living a life of luxury and privilege. In 1789, the Declaration of The Rights of Man was passed by the National Assembly and declared that every man is equal. When Napoleon became the First Cousul, he constituted the Napoleonic Code, a unified system of law in Frace. In Glencoe World History, Spielvogel writes, “This code preserved most of the gains of the revolution by recognizing the principle of the equality of all citizens before the law” (p.545). The code promoted equal rights for all male citizens. Everyone was equal no matter who they were; therefore, no one had special rights or privileges. For example, the laws required all citizens to pay taxes. Napoleon wanted every citizen to share the responsibility of maintaining the French government. He didn’t want the burden to be only on the peasants. The laws Napoleon implanted about equality would strongly be supported and praised by the National Assembly. As great as the Napoleonic Code is, it has its flaws. The Napoleonic Code limited the rights of women. Women were completely dependent on their husbands. The reason …show more content…
Like mentioned previously, Napoleon was a brilliant military tactician. When he came to power, he quickly began his conquest of Europe. During his conquest, Napoleon overthrew the aristocratic system in Italy, Germany, Poland, Spain, and other Europe countries. It states in “Napoleon as Preserver of the Revolution”, “We much concede that his armies ‘liberalized’ the constitutions of many European countries” (Rude). In these countries, the nobles and the clergies lost their privileges, and Napoleon abolished the relics of feudalism in these countries. Additionally, the peasants supported Napoleon as he overthrew their government, for they were tired of their unjust government. Napoleon and his army influenced Europe with the ideals and goals of the French Revolution; hence, he advocated the revolution’s ideals and goals because why would he had spread the ideals and goals if he did not support it? On the other hand, a lot of people might argue that Napoleon undermined the values of the French Revolution because he crowned himself Emperor of France, and his conquest was to only satisfy his lust for power. Even though part of it was for self-gain, it was just a small detail in a big picture. The people in other countries were free from the absolute power of the king and the unfair laws of the monarchy. In short,