Survey 4

1750-1850

Napoleon Bonaparte: The man who killed many or a hero for France?

**Napoleon Bonaparte**
**The Emperor Napoleon in His Study at the Tuileries**, Jacques-Louis David, 1812
Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_career_of_Napoleon_Bonaparte

On 2nd December 1804, Napoleon decided to crown himself as the emperor of France; that’s when French history changes forever, for better or worse, in my opinion, for the better.

***The Coronation of Napoleon***, Jacques-Louis David, 1806
Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Coronation_of_Napoleon

Before Napoleon crowned himself emperor, the french revolution was ongoing, and generally, there was a big gap between the rich and the poor. Napoleon was competent, and during the plebiscite, he did win majority votes. Despite his lack of concern for women, the general population, or rather the average man, prospered.

History is a set of lies agreed upon.
Napoleon bonaparte

**The Third of May**, Francisco Goya, 1808
image source: https://smarthistory.org/goya-third-of-may-1808/

Besides all the positives, Napoleon did reintroduce colonial slavery and significantly reduced the rights given to women leaving them without custody of their children as well. He also engaged in numerous military expeditions costing many lives.

A leader is a dealer in hope.
NAPOLEON BONAPARTE

Napoleon introduced higher education across France, giving people a chance to change their life for the better. Even though limited to men, the number of educated people increased, giving France a new variety of doctors, lawyers, artists, musicians, and teachers. It caused growth in its economy and changed France forever. The place trod in poverty, and a negligent monarch grew to become a place that inspires other rulers.

He wanted to bring back ‘Roman glory’ back to France. He created the famous Napoleonic code that declared all citizens equal in the eyes of the law, revoked birth privileges, granted freedom of religion, and separated the church and the State.

Napoleon recognized France was lacking in religion and decided to introduce religion to its people. Despite not being religious himself, Napoleon fixed the relationship of the State with the church (getting support from them too.)

Napoleon also said, “Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich.”

In 1801, there was Concordat between the church and Napoleon, where the first consul had the power to appoint and change the bishops, and seminaries were allowed.

**Napoleon Crossing the Alps**, Jacques-Louis David, 1801-1805
image source: https://www.history.com/topics/france/napoleon

In my opinion, France was weak and needed a strong leader to take the reins after the incompetent predecessors weakened and left the country in shambles. Napoleon was only in power for 10-11 years; he still changed french history and is remembered by everyone today.