ACHIEVEMENTS OF NAPOLEON IN THE HISTORY OF FRANCE

Before Napoleon came to power in 1799, France was in political, social and economic crisis. What was achieved in the course of the French revolution disappeared during the reign of terror and during the directory government. There was unemployment, inflation, Financial and religious crisis, power struggle and chaos. When Napoleon came to power, he tried to correct the wrong in the society.

 

The Concordat of 1801

This was an agreement that Napoleon signed with the Pope in 1801. Before Napoleon came to power, the revolutionary reforms such as the Nationalization of church land, declaration of civil constitution of the clergy etc turned the Catholic Church into enemity with the revolutionaries. But Napoleon reconciled the church and the state as he remarked “A state without religion is like a vessel without acampass”This agreement was important because:

a)      It made the Catholic to be the state religion.

b)      Agreement guaranteed the freedom of worship.

c)      According to the agreement, the clergy became the civil servants who were paid and appointed by the government.

 

2. Ownership of land and property:

Free ownership of land and other property was enjoyed by the Frenchmen during the reign of Napoleon. The clergy and the nobles started claiming for their land that was taken in the course of the French revolution. Napoleon solved the problem and made the4 peasants to retain the land and other property that they had acquired during  the course of the French revolution. He avoided reemergence of feudalism through which the nobles and the clergy would have grabbed land from the peasants. It also increased the productivities of peasants and reduced the4 problems of famine and starvation.

 

3. Re organizing Administration:

Napoleon re organized the Administration structure of France. this ended the administrative problems such as corruption, embezzlement and inefficiency. He centralized administration and created Departments headed by 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 the prefects and sub prefects. All these maintained law and order and created efficiency in service. It should be noted that Napoleon’s system of government was adopted and used in France unto now.

4. Reforms in Education:

Before Napoleon, France had poor Education system of very low standard. But Napoleon laid foundation for modern French Education. He set up secondary schools; semi military schools called Lycees run by government In the Lycees, military Science, Political Science and maths were emphasized to improve on the performance of the army. He also found the University of France the first University with its 17 branches or faculties distributed through out France. University education was brought under state control and this ended the disagreement between the church and the state. Schools were not congregative and they produced very creative students who severed the nation diligently.

 

5. Commerce and Industry.

Napoleon transformed and improved on the industrial and commercial sectors of France. Before Napoleon came to power, these two sectors were referred to as “The laughing Stock of Europe “. They had completely declined due to trade restrictions numerous taxes, corruption, lack of government support etc.Napoleon created A central Bank of France in 1800 to give Loans to traders and manufacturers. By 1815, there were over 2000 Mills employing 40,000 people. He also embarked on the policy of protectionism to protect home industries. This helped to solve the problem of un employment in France.

 

6. Agricultural Development:

Napoleon’s regime greatly improved on Agricultural sector in France. He restored peace and stability which created good 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. Farmers, co- operative societies were promoted with modern farming methods. This helped to increase on food production. I.e., food crops like beans, potatoes, wheat, etc were grown hence, solving the problem of famine that used to attack France.

 

7. Financial Reforms:

Napoleon’s reforms improved on financial situation in France. Before Napoleon came to power, France experienced financial crisis and chronic inflation which was worse during the directory government. However, Napoleon stabilized the currency on gold standard system. He established the Bank of France in 1800 with task of giving loans and regulating the circulation of money in the economy.  Tax collectors were to deposit tax proceeds to avoid corruption. Defeated and conquered states were made to pay indemnity to support the French economy.

8. Tax Reforms:

Taxation that had been referred to as the cancer of the ancient regime was reformed and made fair. People were fairly assessed according to their ability and there was no tax exemption for the noble and the clergy. In 1803, Napoleon enacted the tariff law to limit export in order to safeguard the French infant industries from competition with British goods. He reduced the burden of taxation of the French men by over taxing the conquered states such as Italian states; German, Belgium etc.Corruption and embezzlement of tax proceeds (revenues) were heavily punished.

 

9. The Code Napoleon:

The most memorable achievement of Napoleon was making of legal laws popularly known as “The Code Napoleon.” Before Napoleon came to power, France had no clear laws governing the French society. Napoleon realized anode for a unified legal system. He appointed committee of lawyers who came out with clear and simplified laws such as

a)      The criminal code.

b)      The civil code.

c)      The commercial code.

d)     The military code.

e)      The penal code.

The Codes made by Napoleon were very popular and were adopted by many countries of Europe, America and Africa. That marked France as a modern state in Europe.

 

10. Modernizing the Army:

Napoleon scored highest in the military sector. He modernized and perfected the French army and France had the best infantry in the whole world. The army was used to maintain law and order and deal with political opponents. It was used to expand the French territories and consolidate French rule in the conquered states. More importantly, the army was given priority.

 

 11. The Legion of Honour:

This was a form of award 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. This created spirit of competition, dedication and self sacrifice for their modern land. For the success of this policy, Napoleon said “Men are led by Toys” The legion of honour portrayed Napoleon as a true child of the French revolution.

   

12. The new constitution:

Between 1800 -1810, Napoleon ruled in accordance to the constitution. He issued anew constitution and created anew executives of their consults (Napoleon, Abbey Sieyes and Ducas) and the Parliament of 300 legislatures. The constitution clearly separated the powers of the executive, legislature and the judiciary. It was made public and people were made to vote for a referendum in favour or against it. It was eventually endorsed by the people and it became a working document for the republic of France. The constitution also provided for the Human rights, freedom of worship, press and association. This gave him a lot of powers that enable him to have firm control over France.

 

13. Career Open to Talents.

Career open to talents was a patriotic policy that promoted the revolutionary principles of equality. Under this policy, Napoleon abolished the social congregative class that existed in France prior to 1799.Napoleon opposed injustice of royal blood connection to determine the appointment and promotion to public office. He instead used ability and performances as a standard for one to rise to the position and responsibilities. This explains why his government was strong and more efficient than those of the pre revolutionary period.