Reforms of the 1st Consul
• Religion
• Judicial
• Legal system
• Education
• Finances
I. Napoleon’s Accomplishments and Impact
A. Centralization of Local Gov’t – Nap. Appoints
governors, mayors, judges, & police heads.
B. Public Education –
1. Gov’t controls all ed.
2. built new schools
3. Raise and uniformity of standards
4. Raise nationalism of Fr.
C. Settlement of Religious Matters
1. State pay salaries of clergy
2. Church gave up land
3. Bishops nominated by state
4. Religious freedom
D. Legal – Napoleonic Code/Law basis of
Eur., parts of Asia, Latin Am. & Louisiana
1. Equal treatment under law
2. abolish serfdom and feudalism
3. trial by jury
4. No ex post facto
5. Commercial and criminal law
6. Men rights up, women down
E. Legion of Honor – public recognition of
distinguished military and civilian service.
F. Improvement of Finances
1. Bank of France
2. Equality of Taxes
G. Public Works
H. Map Changes
1. Austria no longer dominates Holy Roman Empire
2. Reduce German states = Unification
3. Louisiana Purchase to USA
I. Revolution Spreads
1. Equality idea to world – Latin American countries break from Spain
2. Ends idea of feudalism and serfdom
3. Code of Napoleon to world
4. Encourage state control of ed.
J. Legacy of War & Empire
1. Militarism grows
2. Nationalism goes up
3. Set example of a despot/dictator
4. Tax the conquered
Napoleon’s Family Rules!
Jerome Bonaparte  King of Westphalia.
Joseph Bonaparte  King of Spain
Louise Bonaparte  King of Holland
Pauline Bonaparte  Princess of Italy
Napoléon Francis Joseph
Charles (son) King of
Rome
e Elisa Bonaparte  Grand
Duchess of Tuscany
e Caroline Bonaparte  Queen
of Naples
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Napoleon’s Family & Friends/Allies
How would the following have felt about Napoleon???:
• An aristocratic lady who fled France during the Revolution after
several relatives were guillotined.
• A worker in Paris who was among those who stormed the Bastille
in 1789.
• A soldier who fought with Napoleon at the Battle of Austerlitz in
1805.
• A French mother who lost two sons in the Retreat from Moscow in
1812 and who lives in a village with families still grieving for other
young men who died during the many years of warfare under
Napoleon's rule.
• A bureaucrat in the National Bank (created by Napoleon) who
would not formerly have merited a government position under the
Ancient Regime.
• A recipient of the Legion of Honor, established in 1802 by
Napoleon.
• A priest whose church was desecrated during the French
Revolution.
• A French Jew who, thanks to the Revolution and Napoleon's
enlightened policies, is now a citizen.
Tyrant or Hero
• Did Napoleon do more to preserve the legacy of the
French Revolution or to destroy it?
• Although Napoleon assumed dictatorial powers, he
became First Consul as well as Emperor with the
enthusiasm and approval of the French people. Should
this affect how we judge him in the role of "tyrant"?
• Must we assume that all conquerors throughout history
are villains? When, if ever, can a conqueror be hero?
• Did Napoleon conquer others for a higher purpose, or
only for his own glory?
• Should a leader's personal and romantic life be factored
into the assessment of hero or tyrant, and if so why or
why not?