ACHIEVEMENTSINFRANCE (INTERNAL POLICY)
France
before Napoleon's rise to power was in acute socio-economic and
political crisis. Most of the achievements of the French Revolution had
disappeared during the reign of terror and the Directory Government.
Napoleon therefore inherited a demoralized nation characterized by
inflation, unemployment, financial and religious crisis, power struggle,
anarchy and a very desperate socio-economic condition. His first
political agenda was therefore to create order out of chaos. These made
him to come with a comprehensive socio-economic and political program
through which he put things right. This is why it's said that Napoleon
corrected the wrongs in the French society.
On top
of re-organizing France, Napoleon preserved the achievements/gains of
the French revolution and completed the reforms that the revolution had
started: He upheld revolutionary ideas and principles and even exported
them to Europe through his aggressive war policy. It's this that partly
explains why
Napoleon p is known as a true child of the French revolution
Generally,
Napoleon's achievements in France and Europe were so great that he is
popularly known as “Napoleon the Great''. Although Napoleon was so
successful and dominant in French as well a European affairs, he
nevertheless had his weaknesses and failures as we shall analyze in his
policies
1. The concordat (1801)
This
was an agreement that Napoleon signed with the Pope in 1801. Before
Napoleon came to power revolutionary reforms like the civil constitution
of the clergy and nationalization of land had turned the Catholic
Church into an enemy of the French revolution. Napoleon was however
determined to bring reconciliation and gain political support. He was
convinced that religion was "a Cement of social order" and that's why he
remarked that; a state without religion is like a Vessel without a
compass. With these ideas in mind, Napoleon signed the concordat with
the pope in 1801, which not only guaranteed freedom of worship but also
recognized the catholic religion as a state religion. The church
influence on state affairs was brought to an end and the Pope's
authority was restricted to spiritual and church related affairs.
The
clergy became civil servants who were appointed and paid by the
government. The role of the Pope was just to ordain the appointed
clergy. By bringing the church under state control leave alone trimming
its powers, Napoleon fulfilled the aims of the French revolutionaries
who had revolted against the Catholic Church dominance in French
affairs. Thus, the concordat strengthened Napoleon's popularity and made
him to realize his dream of creating a great French empire. This is
proof of Napoleon's greatness and true statesmanship.
2. Ownership of land and property
Free
ownership of land and other property was enjoyed by the Frenchmen
during the reign of Napoleon. During the course of the French
revolution, land and other property that were confiscated from the
nobles and clergy were sold to the peasants at a fair price. However,
the clergy and nobles started to reclaim their land and property but
Napoleon nullified their claims. This made peasants to retain land and
other property that they had acquired during the course of the
revolution. It avoided the re-emergence of feudalism and, serfdom
through which the Clergy and nobles had exploited the peasants. It also
increased the productivity of peasants and reduced the problem of
famine, and starvation in France.
3. Administration
Napoleon
re-organized the administrative structure of France. This brought an
end to administrative confusion and weaknesses that used to encourage
corruption, embezzlement and inefficiency. He centralized the
administration and created Departments headed by prefects, Arrodisement
ruled by sub prefects and communes governed by mayors. All these
officers were appointed by him and therefore loyal and answerable to
him. Local councils continued to be elected by the people and their role
was to advise prefects and sub-prefects. All these maintained law,
order and created efficiency in service delivery. It would be emphasized
that the centralized government of modem France was adopted from that
of Napoleon. It was also used by France in her colonies like Algeria and
Tunisia.
4. Education
Before
Napoleon, France had poor education system of very low standards. But
Napoleon through his reforms laid foundation for the modem French
education. He encouraged secondary education by setting up secondary
schools that were run by the communes. His government also introduced
semi-military, secondary schools called Lycees, which were run by the
government. In the Lycees, military science, political science and
mathematics were emphasized to strengthen the spirit of nationalism and
improve the performance of the army. He also founded the university of
France in 1805 (the first university) with 17 branches throughout
France. University education was brought under state control and this
ended the disagreement between the church and state over education. The
schools were non-segregative and nondenominational and produced very
bright and innovative students who served the nation with distinctions.
5. Commerce and industry
Napoleon
transformed and improved the industrial and commercial sectors of
France. Before Napoleon came to power, these two sectors were referred
to as the Laughing stocks of Europe. They were completely run down by
unnecessary trade restrictions, numerous taxes, corruption, lack of
government support and accountability. However Napoleon reversed this
situation. For instance, he created the central Bank of France in 1800
to give loans to traders and manufacturers. Taxation was made very
realistic and hence friendly. Napoleon created the chamber of commerce,
commercial exchanges and advisory boards for manufacturers. By 1815
there were 2000 mills employing 40,000 people and linen production was
boosted and was employing about 58,000 people. He also embarked on a
policy of protectionism, which sheltered home industries from foreign
competition. Thus, Industrial development, opened more employment
opportunities and improved on the socio-economic welfare of the
Frenchmen.
6. Agriculture
Napoleon's
regime greatly improved the agricultural sector. He restored peace and
stability, which created a conducive atmosphere for Agriculture.
Government expenditure on agriculture was increased to boost production.
He embarked on Land reclamation and drainage of swamps to increase
cultivatable Land. Farmer's Co-operative societies and the use of better
farming methods and techniques were promoted.
Awards
were given for successful innovations in the field of agriculture.
Consequently, these measures increased the production of food crops such
as grains, wheat, potatoes, beat, etc. This solved the problem of
famine and starvation that Napoleon had inherited from the Directory
government.
7. Finance
Napoleon's
reforms improved the French financial situation. By 1799, France had
experienced financial crisis and chronic inflation, which was worst
during the Directory government. However, Napoleon stabilized the
currency on gold standard system. He established the Bank of France in
1800 with the Task of giving Loans and regulating the circulation of
money in the Economy. Tax collectors were to deposit tax proceeds to the
Bank and it was controlled by very strict and competent men. Defeated
and conquered states were forced to pay indemnity to support the French
economy and finance Napoleon's military campaigns. Corrupt officials
were severely punished. These reduced financial discouragement,
corruption and feuds that had caused financial crisis by 1799.
NB
One should however note that, the financial stability that Napoleon
restored disappeared when he started the continental system. It made
the French and European businessmen who could not do without the British
(cheap and superior) goods to close their business and industries. This
was because the substitutes to British goods were very expensive and
yet of very poor quality. This led to inflation, unemployment and the
eventual financial crisis.
8. Tax reforms
Taxation
that had been referred to as "the cancer of the ancient regime" was
reformed and made fair; a centralized administration led by Gaud in was
set up to handle assessment and collection of taxes'. Unlike the
previous regimes where taxation was regressive, taxation during
Napoleon's regime was' progressive. People were fairly assessed
according to their ability and there was no fax exemption for the nobles
arid clergy. In 1803, Napoleon enacted the tariff law to limit imports
in order to safeguard the French infant industries from competition with
British goods. He reduced the burden of taxation on the French men over
taxing the conquered states such as Italians, Germans, and Belgians
etc. Corruption and embezzlement of tax proceeds/revenue were heavily
punished. By 1810, tax reforms had made France to have a balanced,
budget, something that was a dream in the previous regimes.
9. Provision of a new constitution
From
1800-1810, Napoleon ruled as a constitutional ruler. He distinguished
himself by issuing a new constitution in the aftermath of his rise to
power. The constitution created an executive of three consuls (Napoleon,
Abbey Sieyes and Duccas), A parliament of 300 legislatures and a senate
with powers to veto decisions of the 3 consuls. The constitution
clearly separated the powers of the executive, legislature and
judiciary. It was made public and people were asked to vote in a
referendum in favour or against it. It was eventually endorsed by the
people and became a working document for the republic of France. The
constitution also provided for human rights and freedom such as freedom
of worship, press, association, etc. This not only gained him support
from the liberals but also gave him a lot of powers that enabled him to
have firm control over France.
10. Legal reforms/Code Napoleon. (1804 -1810)
The
most memorable achievement of Napoleon was the codification of French
laws that is popularity known as code Napoleon. Before Napoleon, France,
had no clear Law and Frenchmen were ruled by trial and error method and
sometimes decrees. Napoleon realized the need for a unified legal
system. He appointed a committee of Lawyers who under his guidance, came
out with a clear and systematic uniform Law that promoted equality of
all by nature. The Laws were simplified and reduced to only five codes
i.e. the criminal code, the civil code, the commercial code, the
military code and the penal code these codes are clear evidences of
Napoleon's attempt to right the wrongs in the French society and
according to a historian Leo Gershoy; it was at once the summary and
correction of the French revolution. These codes made Napoleon very
popular and were adopted by countries of Europe, America and Africa. The
codes have hitherto remained the, most convenient and enlightened set
of Laws in. the world, It marked France as a modern state in Europe and
to this effect Napoleon said; I shall go dawn to posterity with my code
in my hand.
11. Public works
Through
public works scheme, Napoleon permanently beautified and enriched
France. Roads, Railways, canals and bridges were constructed, marshes
were drained, and sea ports enlarged and fortified, several museums and
places were founded and filled with priceless treasures looted from
Italy during the 1796 Italian campaign. Streets were enlarged and street
pavements were built as well. All these improved the agricultural,
industrial, commercial and tourism sectors. These were sources of
employment and provided Paris with its modem beauty. This was amazing to
Europe and no wonder that all roads and eyes were leading towards
Paris. In short, Paris became the political nerve center of Europe
during reign of Napoleon.
12. Career open to talents (equality)
Career
open to talents was a patriotic policy that promoted the revolutionary
principle of equality. It delivered the last blow to the remains of the
segregative social class system that existed in France prior to 1799.
Napoleon opposed this injustice and royal blood connection in
determining appointment and promotion to public offices. He instead used
ability and performances as criterion for ones rise to any position of
responsibility. This explains why Murat rose to the rank of a General in
spite of being a son of a mere innkeeper. The policy therefore created a
new set of nobility called nobility of ability that replaced the
ancient nobility of birth. It made Napoleon to exploit talents that had
been discriminated and wasted due to segregation. This explains why his
government was strong and more efficient than those of the revolutionary
period.
13. The Legion of honour (love of honour) 1802
This
was a form of awards given to men who rendered distinguished services
to the state such as in the civil service, commerce, army etc. This was
to recognize and encourage people to be more patriotic and nationalistic
in serving their nation. It instilled in the Frenchmen the spirit of
competition, dedication and self-sacrifice for their Motherland. For the
success of this policy, Napoleon said "men are led by toys".
The
legion of Honour portrays Napoleon as a true child of the French
revolution since he fulfilled the revolutionary ideas of equality,
liberty and fraternity.
14. The army
Napoleon
scores highest in the military sector. He modernized and perfected the
French army and France had the best infantry in the whole Europe. The
army was used to maintain Law and order and deal with political
opponents and saboteurs. It was used to expand the French territory and
consolidate French rule in the conquered states. The army was also used
to collect war indemnity, tributes and suppress resistance in the
conquered states. All these improved French Economy that became second
to Britain.
NB Exportation of the French revolution
Napoleon
made the French revolution an international affair. His greatness was
witnessed in the Italian campaign of 1796, the second coalition that he
defeated in 1802 and the creation of the French Empire over Europe by
1815. In these areas, he exported the French revolutionary ideas of
Equality, liberty and fraternity. This is what sowed seeds for
nationalism in Europe such as in Italy and Germany by 1870.
Generally,
Napoleon's reforms and re-organization of France laid foundation for
modem France. He lifted France from a very low level and carried it to a
very high level and this is why he is referred to as Napoleon the
Great. More importantly, his achievements were within a very short time
in a country that had experienced 10 years of violence and
mismanagement.
Although Napoleon died in 1821,
nevertheless his achievements have survived his physical death. This is
supported by the following evidences; the local government has remained
as he had initiated, the education system is still his and his codes of
laws are still laws of France although with some amendments, the
concordat harmonized the relationship between the church and the state
until the 20th century, the principle of equality which he saved from
anarchy is still cherished and practiced in France. The fact that
Napoleon's reform has survived up to now is a clear testimony that he is
a true statesman and Great.
Napoleon 1 is
therefore credited for reviving French lost glory at home and over
Europe through his expansionist military campaigns.
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