How Was Napoleon Guilty Of Crimes Against Humanity?

Adrianna Morina
Although, Napoleon Bonaparte has made major military mistakes throughout his reign, such as invading Russia in the middle of winter, it does not however qualify him as a power hungry dictator nor should he be accused of crimes against Humanity. Reason being is that Napoleon Bonaparte has proven time and time again that his best interest was for the people of France. This is shown by his many reforms which helped abolished inequality amongst social classes in France, spreading enlightenment ideas throughout Europe, and his military genius, losing only two battles during his unification of Europe. These are all qualities of a good leader and only further prove that Napoleon is not guilty of crimes against humanity when he put …show more content…
This was called The Great Fear. With the rest of Europe disregarding enlightenment ideas, believing they cause people to become barbarians and show how power does not bode well in the hands of the people. Napoleon strived to show the rest of Europe the error of their ways and used the enlightenment ideas in his reforms. Reforms that improved the lives of around 98% of the population of France. Napoleon also created the Napoleonic code which is based off of the codification of the Roman law, had all the laws and reforms Napoleon had made, making it easier for the citizens of France to know and understand the laws. “Under the Code all male citizens are equal, hereditary, nobility, and class privileges are extinguished. Civilian institutions are emancipated from ecclesial controls; and freedoms of person, freedom of contract, and protection of private property” ( 1804 Description of the Napoleonic Code). These ideas all come from the Enlightenment thinkers. Napoleon mended the rift between the church and then had separation of church and state. This idea comes from the Enlightenment thinker Montesquieu. Many witnesses on the defence approved of this law, like the French School Teacher. He felt that due to the separation of Church and State, the education was now in the hands of the government and the education was therefore more useful had any of the children wanted to have a career in politics and such. Napoleon was a big believer in religious tolerance, something that was not very common in the rest of Europe at the time. Voltaire, a very influential enlightenment thinker, strongly believed in religious tolerance and during the reign of Napoleon many others did as well. People such as an Italian Nationalist who was extremely pleased with the religious tolerance Napoleon brought to Italy. The idea that