Napoleon Bonaparte: The First Modern Dictator

Napoleon Bonaparte:
The First Modern Dictator

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EARLY HISTORY
­Born Napoleon Buonaparte on the island of Corsica in 1769

­Attended military college at age 9, and immersed himself in reading Rousseau

­As a young artillery officer, he helped overthrow the Ancien Regime in Corsica
       when the Revolution began

­Returned to France to continue his military career and by 1793
      ­he was a social and political "careerist"
      ­selected military posts on their political merits
      ­married Josephine de Beauharnais, a widow who had many links to
      the ruling Directory

­A combination of talent and Josephine's connections got him the command of the
      Italian Campaign in 1796

­He led a campaign against British controlled Egypt in 1798 ­­ he brought along
      many scholars and historians to study the ancient wonders
      ­a less successful campaign as the British navy made resupply difficult

­By 1799, France was facing a new threat of an international coalition and the
      potential of a new "Terror" at home as the Directory drafted a
      "Law of Hostages" (allowing the gov't to kidnap relatives of potential
      conspirators)

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NAPOLEON'S GOVERNMENT

He staffed the government with a variety of people including
emigres and ex­Jacobins ­­ really anyone that showed skill and
promise.
   He rewarded success with promotions, titles, etc.
   He builds a "new aristocracy" ­­ he claims that "Aristocracy
   always exists.
       "Destroy it in the nobility and it removes itself to the rich
          and powerful houses of the middle class."

Creates the Code Napoleon
   ­A series of laws and legal codes compiled from 1804 to 1810
   ­Individuals garaunteed equality before the law
   ­It embraced some, but not all of the spirit of 1789
       ­judges appointed by the Emporer
       ­massacred rebels and kidnapped potential political "threats"
       ­never really supported freedom of speech ­­ used
       propaganda and controlled the press (eliminating 5 of every
       6 newspapers)

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NAPOLEON TAKES POWER

­ Nov.9­10, 1799 ­he conspired with two members of the Directory to take
power and is declared the Military Commander of Paris
   ­A new ruling body, the Consulate, is declared

Consulate
3 Consuls lead the Executive, but Napoleon holds the real power as "First"
Consul (prima intra pares)
•      Laws created by 4 separate levels of government:

   1. Council of State ­­ proposes laws, hand­picked by Napoleon
       and the core of the process (inherited from the Rev.)

   2. Tribunate ­­ debate issues, but no votes

   3. Legislative Corps ­­ votes but does not debate laws

   4. Senate ­­ right to veto legislation

In 1802, Napoleon convinces legislators to abolish the 10 year term limit
and appoint him "Consul for Life" ­­ France is now essentially a monarchy
again

In 1804, Napoleon convinces the Senate to declare that, "the government of
the republic is entrusted to an emporer."

He had the support of the country as his military victories appealed to the
Nationalism of the Revolution

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NAPOLEON AND RELIGION

He sought to appease the Catholics alienated by the extremes of the
Revolution

He reconciled with the Catholic Church, signing the Concordat in 1801
with the Vatican (Pope Pius VII), making the church subject to the "police
regulations" of the state and insisted that the French church have special
autonomy within Catholicism

     Napoleon later took control of the Papal States and "imprisoned" Pius
     in northern Italy, and then in France

     He took control of education and limited the number of students ­­
     increased the price of tuition and centralized the curriculum, with the
     goal of producing loyal state administrators

     Used school uniforms, marches, etc. to indoctrinate students with the
     values of the country ­­ and build a cadre of officers

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NAPOLEON'S ECONOMY

He made use of military conquest and plunder to balance the budget, and thus
appeal to the middle class

Created the Bank of France and improved tax collection

Regulated labour unions and curbed strikes or any other labour actions

Required citizens to carry a livret or identity booklet

Seaports declined as a result of the British Blockade and Napoleon's
"Continental System" ­­ many peasants suffered from hunger as a result of
higher prices

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KCikSrbTx8
&feature=PlayList&p=E74575F2DE2CC73B&index=0&playnext=1

                                                          7

http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=kiLqS8QbwCM&feature=PlayList&p=E74575F2DE2CC73B&playnext=1
&playnext_from=PL&index=1

                                                               8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
8hHRRP9TbvM&feature=PlayList&p=E74575F2DE2CC73B&playnext=1
&playnext_from=PL&index=2

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GB0Cu_
97ELY&feature=PlayList&p=E74575F2DE2CC73B&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=
3

                                                                           10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=ht9jHbZs0iA&feature=PlayList&p=E74575F2DE2CC73B&index=4

                                                            11

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcAqKATMBD0
&feature=PlayList&p=E74575F2DE2CC73B&index=5

                                               12

http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=SH1le_Kk_vg&feature=PlayList&p=E74575F2DE2CC73B&index=6

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SUMMARY
Napoleon shares many links with the enlightened despotism of Louis
XIV or Frederick II

He paid lip service to the ideals of the republic, while subverting the
core freedoms and the democratic reforms of the Revolution

He worked to centralized administration and decision­making

Conclusion: Napoleon made himself the first modern Dictator

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