Figure 1.--Napoleion after only a few years crowned himseld emperor in the Cathedral of Notre-Dame (December 2, 1804). He was not content to be king, but rather chose to be an emperor. This emense panoramic painting is the work of Jacques-Louis David. At 32 feet long and 20 feet tall, it’s one of the largest paintings ever created. The official title is ' The Consecration of the Emperor Napoleon I and the Coronation of the Empress Josephine'. While Napoleon crowned himself, Pope Pius VII 'consecrated' the act. Napoleon performed Josephine’s less holy 'coronation'. Napoleon's mother who was feuding with him at the time, refused to attend the ceremony, but the rest of the family is there and highlighted by David. Napoleon had David paint in his mother into a prominent position. Originally, David showed Napoleon holding the crown above his own head, but Napoleon insisted that David change it to the Josephine's coronation. Notice that one boy in a red skeleton suit is depicted, we assume a nephew.

Napoleon crowned himself Emprorer of the French and created an empire that covered most western and central Europe. He was the greatest military genius of his time. Napoleon's armies crushed one foe after another until he seemed invincible. For nearly 20 years, many European nations fought him. Napoleon had an unimpresslve appearance, but he carried himself well. He stood slightly below average height. His courage and short stature led to his early nickname of le Petit Corporal, or the little corporal. He had heavy eyebrows and a weak mouth, but his powerful personality shone in his eyes. His mother encouraged and helped him in his rise to the height of power. His soldiers adored him. He personally directed complicated military maneuvers and at the same time controlled France's press, its police system, its foreign policy, and its home government. He pioneered new strategy and tactics, and became one of the great military commanders in history. Napoleon also proved himself a talented adminstrator. He supervised the work of preparing the system of laws called the Code Napoleon or Napoleonic Code. In addition, he founded the Bank of France, reorganized the French education system, and established a strong centralized government. Napoleon created and juggled kingdoms at will. He placed his relatives and friends on the thrones of Europe. And, finally, he brought about his own downfall. Napoleon's collapse came partly because his pride and stubbornness forced him to go ahead with doubtful plans, and partly because he betrayed the faith of many people. Napoleopn created a quasi-parlinentarian system with elections, but theEmpire was essentilly an authoritarian one-man system. Even so he did bring talented and talented often expert collaborators into his circle of advisors. And especially in the military adoopted a merit-based system. Two major issues dominate any assessment of Napoleon. First, was he the end or continuation of the Revolution. Second, to what extent was he an absolute ruler, the forerunner of the totalitarian dictators of the 20th century.

Emperor

Napoleon crowned himself Emprorer of the French and created an empire that covered most western and central Europe. Napoleon had an unimpresslve appearance, but he carried himself well. He stood slightly below average height. His courage and short stature led to his early nickname of le Petit Corporal, or the little corporal. He had heavy eyebrows and a weak mouth, but his powerful personality shone in his eyes. His mother encouraged and helped him in his rise to the height of power.

Military Genius

He was the greatest military genius of his time. Napoleon's armies crushed one foe after another until he seemed invincible. For nearly 20 years, many European nations fought him. His soldiers adored him. He personally directed complicated military maneuvers. He pioneered new strategy and tactics, and became one of the great military commanders in history.

Civil Liberties

He controlled France's press and its police system.

Government

Napoleon created a quasi-parlinentarian system with elections, but the Empire was essentilly an authoritarian one-man system. Even so he did bring talented and talented often expert collaborators into his circle of advisors. And especially in the military adoopted a merit-based system. Napoleon governing system was called the Consulate. It consisted of three parliamentary bodies. First the Council of State, which drafted bills. Second the Tribunate which debated bills but could not vote. Third, the Legislative Assembly which not debate proposed bills, but reviewed the Tribunate’s debates and actually voted. There is no record of the three bodies ever questioning the Emperor. And operated as rubber stamps for anything the Emperor actually wanted. There were elections under Napoleopn, not of course fior the Emperor himself. There were elections in the annexed territiories and in France itself. The Emperor approved the two-tiered electoral system adopted during the Revolution. There was basic universal male suffrage wiyh some exceptions. This functioned in the cantonal (primary assemblies). These elections, however, were limited to the approval of candidates. The actual selection was detrermined by the Government. Historians debate the imprtance of these elections and they are not well studied. 【Crook】

Administration

Napoleon also proved himself a talented adminstrator. He supervised the work of preparing the system of laws called the Code Napoleon or Napoleonic Code. In addition, he founded the Bank of France, reorganized the French education system, and established a strong centralized government.

Foreign Policy

Napoleon created and juggled kingdoms at will. He placed his relatives and friends on the thrones of Europe.

Downfall

He brought about his own downfall. Napoleon's collapse came partly because his pride and stubbornness forced him to go ahead with doubtful plans, and partly because he betrayed the faith of many people.

Basic Questions

Two major issues dominate any assessment of Napoleon. First, was he the end or continuation of the Revolution. Second, to what extent was he an absolute ruler, the forerunner of the totalitarian dictators of the 20th century.

Sources

Crook, Malcolm and John Dune. "The first European elections? Voting and Imperial state-building under Napoleon, 1802–1813," The Historical Journal Publishd on line (August 14, 2014).

Created: 12:58 PM 12/22/2023
Last updated: 9:16 AM 1/5/2024