Napoleon_Bonaparte__Saves_the_Revolution_,_or_Not_

Napoleon Bonaparte “Saves the revolution”, or not' Modern Western Civilization Napoleon Bonaparte. The very name congers many different images, stories and in some people even national pride. Was Napoleon the “Destined savior of France” as he truly believed' Or did he belong to yet a different group of world leaders including the likes of Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler' To fully appreciate Napoleon Bonaparte’s role in the French Revolution, it is helpful to discuss the situation in which he found himself. Bonaparte was a man placed in a very unique situation that was both of his own doing while also a result of forces far beyond his control. (Western Civilization, pp659) The French Revolution was a result of an “Old Regime’s” monarchy pitted against the changing forces associated with the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment offered new and exciting viewpoints as man’s understanding of the world and indeed the universe was rapidly changing. This great new appreciation of the workings of the world encouraged and motivated great thinkers to look not only outward towards the stars but inward at themselves as well. Everything was open to review and evaluation. Many people, oppressed peoples in particular, choose to reconsider the society in which they lived and examine its flaws. They discussed and debated how their society might be improved for the benefit of all peoples. It was only a matter of time until the people of France became extremely dissatisfied with their Absolutism society and sought change. For the people of France change meant revolution. The people were aware of vast changes in the societies of other nations such as Britain and the American Colonies, these included more individual freedom and equality under the law. The true goal of the revolution for the mass majority of the population of France was undoubtedly to have a better life for themselves and their families. This required having a workable government while preserving the basic rights of the individual. Liberty, Equality, Fraternity was the cry. (S2U2 bboard) It is in the critically important period of nation-building, the “Consolidation Phase”, of the revolution where Bonaparte comes to the focus of nation leaders, especially those of the European continent. After having great successes on the field of battle as a General and returning to a demoralized France as a national hero, he participated in the Coup de Brumaire, 1799, to overthrow the ruling party, the Directory. Bonaparte offered the people a solution to their lack of leadership and was seen as a figure that was “a son of the revolution”. Thereafter, as requested, he assumed the role of First Consul (chief executive). (Western Civilization pp 659) It is in Bonaparte’s role as First Consul he quickly began to consolidate personal power. This was accomplished in a two step process. First he established universal white male suffrage and then had himself proclaimed consul for life which was ratified through the use of a plebiscite. This was the beginning of his centralization of authority. Under his leadership the Consulate made fundamental and lasting improvements and created a truly modern nation-state. Some of the major accomplishments of the regime were the confirmation of the abolition of privilege, creation of a generally fair system of taxation, enactment of a uniform court system, devising a new legal code permitting civic equality, and creation of a public school system with salaried teachers as well as a university system. Although the government was much more of a dictatorship than a republic, one could argue that these and other improvements within France were evidence that Napoleon Bonaparte was indeed “saving” the revolution. Many of these measures were soon adopted in neighboring nations such as Austria and Prussia. (Western Civilization pp 659) (S2U2 bboard) However, for all the benefits that Bonaparte brought to the French people, he greatly distorted the basic principles upon which the revolution was based. As one observer noted when asked about the French government, he simply responded with “The government' There is Bonaparte”. An example of how he abused his authority may be seen upon further review of how he became first consul for life. By using the plebiscite, a common authoritarian device, he was able to bypass politicians or legislative bodies who disagreed with him – as well as permitting local officials to tamper with the ballot boxes. His “centralization of authority” came from reorganizing the state. He replaced legitimately elected officials with centrally appointed officials who answered indirectly to Council of State in Paris and ultimately to him. (Western Civilization pp 659) Other examples of how Bonaparte “corrupted” the revolution may be found in his revision of the laws of the time. In 1793 men and women were declared “equal in marriage”. Bonaparte changed this to affirm “natural supremacy” of the husband. Married women could not sell property, run a business, or have a profession without their husbands’ permission are just some the freedoms that were taken away from individuals. Bonaparte’s new criminal code reinstated brutal measures that the revolutionaries had abolished, such as branding and cutting off the hands of parricides. These were obvious steps backwards that the revolution had previously moved beyond. However, the single greatest act Bonaparte committed that “distorted” the revolution occurred in 1804 when he removed any doubt that France was no longer a republic. In December of 1804 Bonaparte crowned himself Emperor Napoleon I in the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris. The French Revolution had gone from being under the rule of a king to a republic and now under the rule of Napoleon Bonaparte. As the world renowned Ludwig van Beethoven, an early admirer of Bonaparte, said “Now he, too, will trample on all the rights of man and indulge only his ambition”. (Western civilization pp 660) (Western Civilization pp 663) Napoleon Bonaparte went on to fight many battles against several nations that ultimately undermined French power and as support deteriorated Napoleon abdicated in April 1814 and was exiled to Elba in Italy. After escaping from Elba for a short time and his crushing defeat at Waterloo he was exiled a second time. There would be no escape from his second exile. Bonaparte spent the last six years of his life as a virtual prisoner on a very small island in the middle of the South Atlantic known as Saint Helena. (S2U2 bboard) After a quarter of a century of war and revolution The Bourbons were restored as constitutional monarchs. At this point the French Revolution had indeed come full circle, from monarchy to a republic and back to a monarchy again. It should be noted that many of Bonaparte’s improvements to create a better functioning government did remain and eventually were reproduced in many other nations as well. In the end Napoleon Bonaparte answered the call of duty to serve his country and in so doing fell prey to that age old adage “Absolute power corrupts absolutely”.