Chapter 19 Legal and administrative change Flashcards
How was the Civil Code drafted?
Two lawyers from the North and two from the south to represent roman and customary law
Did Napoleon show genuine interest in the Civil Code?
Participated in sessions of the Council of State that revised the drafts
When was the Civil Code issued?
March 1804
When was the Civil Code renamed?
In September 1807 to “Code Napoleon”
What did the Code Napoleon/Civil Code state?
confirmed key revolutionary changes
- abolition of feudalism
- secularisation of the state
- equality before the law and freedom of conscience
- confirmed the buyers of biens nationaux
- favoured employers
How did the Code Napoleon re-establish male rights
Father was confirmed as head of the family
Children were subordinate to their father
Divorce was permissable
Female rights of inheritance were restricted
How many other codes were issued after 1806 and what was their nature like?
Four more codes issued, mixture of egalitarianism and authoritarianism
What did the multiple codes represent?
Important change to pre-revolutionary chaotic circumstances, major difference
How did Napoleon restructure the administration of justice?
judges were directly appointed and terms of service were extended
highly centralised
(occasional purges of personnel 1807)
When did Napoleon create the role of the prefects?
February 1800
What was the command and control structure for prefects?
directly appointed by the First Consul
responsible for carrying out central authority in the departments
directly responsible to the Minister of the Interior
Duties of a prefect
chief admin in each department
conscription, tax collection, agriculture and education
“eyes, ears and voice” of the central government
How many prefects had worked in a revolutionary government before?
2/3
What were the five main branches of Napoleons administrative system?
Civil administration Courts Gendarmerie Civil police Tax bureau
What did Napoleon’s police consist of?
Military police - gendarmerie
Civilian police - secret police
