The fall of Napoleon revision booklet Flashcards
(31 cards)
1
Q
7
Napoleon successes up to 1807
A
- 1800 Battle of Marengo. He relied on speed to shock the Austrians. He crossed the Alps via the Great St. Bernard pass in May and inflicted a decisive defeat on the Austrians at Marengo on 14 June. The war muddled on and after another battle in December they won.
- 1801 Peace of Luneville made in February establishing peace with Austria but they were still at war with England and in 20th – 21st March they had another battle in Egypt against the British which no one seems to have secured as a clear victory – Battle of Alexandria.
0 1802 Peace of Amiens made with Britain (which everyone knew was unlikely to last). It was signed on the 25th March.
- 1803 Napoleonic wars begin On the 16th May Britain said that France had not kept to the terms of the treaty and declared war again in what became known as the “Napoleonic War”. Napoleon assembled troops at Boulogne to prepare them for invasion.
- 1804 Napoleon made himself Emperor of France at the end of this year 2nd December. The British Prime Minister, William Pitt offered subsidies on an unprecedented scale to anyone who would help Britain fight Napoleon.
- 1805 Battles of Trafalgar, Ulm and Austerlitz. A key year. Nelson destroyed the French navy the day after Napoleon outmanoeuvred the Austrians and defeated them at Ulm. The year ended with a triumph where Napoleon defeated Russia at Austerlitz on 2nd December. Pitt said he might as well roll up the map of Europe as he would not be needing it for 10 years.
- 1806 Battle of Jena. Napoleon destroyed Prussian military power at the He established the Continental Blockade against British.
- 1807 Battle of Eylau. Finally made Treaty of Tilsit with Russia (on a barge in the middle of the River Niemen). He announced the Blockade against the British was being extended to neutral countries and he would impose it.
2
Q
What was Napoleon’s “Grand Empire”?
A
It was France’s ‘natural frontiers’ (the Alps, Rhine and the Pyrenees) and the annexed territories of Piedmont, Parma, Tuscany, Papal States, Illyrian Provinces and Holland, plus the satellite states of Switzerland, Spain, Naples, Italy, the Confederation of the Rhine and the Grand Duchy of Warsaw. This empire contained over 80 million inhabitants.
3
Q
What was an annexed state?
A
This was a state brought under French control and seen as part of France, such as Belgium. They were ruled directly from Paris and adopted French legal and administrative systems. They had departments like France and had military divisions for recruiting. Feudalism was abolished in these states and church and nobility property confiscated or sold. Later annexations such as some German and Italian territories were less affected by French changes.
3
Q
What was a satellite state?
A
A satellite state was nominally independent but ruled by Frenchmen, usually relations of Napoleon. Although independent in name, these states had little freedom: their rulers were closely supervised and tutored by Napoleon, the states existed only to serve the interest of France. Though Napoleon often settled for compromise and did not force change, he used these states extensively; they benefitted less than those annexed. They were used as buffer zones and provided troops and resources, as well as providing for his economic warfare and dynastic/social needs.
4
Q
4
Why did Napoleon create an Empire? - Ideological
A
- Self glorification, own sense of destiny and
personal ambition. Tool for propaganda. - A united Europe (or world). Nationalism – helping to spread French ideas and the virtues of the Revolution; help create nation states. Modernise Europe for the greater good.
- Sustain wars and defeat enemies.
- Create a dynasty and legacy for his son. Fund Imperial honours for loyalty.
5
Q
5
Why did Napoleon create an Empire? - PRACTICAL
A
- Support military campaigns with men (eventually 1/3 of the Grand Army), supplies, cash and quarters.
- Create buffer states to protect France’s borders.
- Spread the Continental Blockade to help defeat Britain.
- Gain land, territory and wealth.
- Fund and supply Imperial honours for loyalty.
6
Q
5
How did Napoleon control the Empire?
A
- Placed family members (e.g. brothers, stepson) in charge of some territories – changes rulers.
- Instituted French laws and reforms – remove identity and run as he wants.
- Taxation/monetary demands and conscription sap resources.
- Force, since troops are stationed there. Help to collect taxes and enforce conscription.
- Some loyalty generated, largely urban bourgeoisie and opportunists. Gives lands to marshals and Imperial nobility.
7
Q
Why did Napoleon feel the need to defeat Britain ?
A
Britain was the most consistent opponent to Napoleon throughout the wars. They were the only state that was always at war with France. By 1806 how had Britain proved itself to be a problem for Napoleon and France? 1799 Nelson had destroyed the French fleet and stranded the French army in Egypt. (Battle of the Nile). From 1800-02 The British Prime Minister (Pitt) was providing subsidies to French enemies. A brief peace in 1802 broke down in 1803 and until 1805 Napoleon was getting French troops ready in Boulogne to invade Britain. He had a disastrous naval display where several ships sank and he clearly must have realised that getting across the channel was not entirely straightforward. He got news that Austria has allied herself to Britain again so he decided to deal with them first and won a victory in Ulm October 1805 but the news was tarnished by the news of a major defeat at sea by the British at Trafalgar.
7
Q
6
How did Napoleon exploit his Empire?
A
- The Empire’s purpose was to serve France. Used it to supplement his Grand Army, conscripting troops at will. For example, from 1806, 55 000 troops were requisitioned from Italy. Eventually non-French troops made up a third of the Grand Army.
- Resources and cash were extracted as indemnity and resources. Substantial ‘tribute money’ was paid by defeated satellite states and cash demands also helped in emergencies.
- Regularly stationed up to a million troops outside France to offset the costs of their maintenance. His allies were given no assistance with their own armies, even when, for example, he commanded double numbers to be raised before the 1812 invasion of Russia.
- Awarded vast swathes of land to marshals and the Imperial Nobility to extend the Continental System through Europe – forced to cease trading with Britain and help enforce the Blockade. Trade treaties were made favourable to France and mechanisation was outlawed in order to stimulate French industry.
> > This all helped to support Napoleon’s conquests, suppress defeated states by sapping resources and ability to resist.
> > Westphalia, the Kingdom of Italy and the Duchy of Warsaw faced bankruptcy whilst others faced dramatic tax hikes (French taxes didn’t rise until 1813).
8
Q
4
What was the ‘Continental System’ and how did Napoleon intend to use this to fight Britain?
A
- So in 1806 Napoleon came up with a plan which he thought would break the British and stop them helping his enemies. It was to some extent the continuation of laws that had been established during the revolutionary wars, whereby British goods were prohibited from French territories. It was intended to weakend Britain by disrupting trade and itw as assumed now that France ruled most of Europe it would enable them to protect European trade and exclude England. It was hoped that it would :
- protect domestic markets from foreign competition
- Bring about the defeat of Britain by closing all continental markets to British trade and so bring about the collapse of its economy.
- Countries who were forced to implement the Continental Blockade had a mixed view of it. For some, it did seem to bring benefits. Industry in Belgium, such as textiles and manufacturing, generally benefited from access to the large imperial domestic market now that cheaper British goods were unavailable. However the experience of the Kingdom of Italy was an entirely different one. Imperial decrees of 1806 and 1810 abolished the traditional trading links between the Kingdom of Italy and its neighbours. All export trade had to be with France only. At the same time, Italy was ‘reserved’ as a market (more accurately a dumping ground) for French goods of all kinds at high prices. Both Italy and Holland were warned by Napoleon about not enforcing the Continental Blockade.
9
Q
2
Benefits of the Continental system
A
- The system succeeded in damaging Britain to some extent particularly in 1811 when Britain was having a period of bad harvests, but in the main its economy was able to withstand the strain.
- There were a few benefits for France, namely a huge protected market for industries. In some areas, such as Strasbourg and Marseilles, trade with Germany, Italy and the east improved. Luxury good production developed in Paris and Lyons.
10
Q
4
Failures of the Continental system
A
Trade disruption also damaged France.
- It proved impossible to enforce- especially as the Empire expanded and following the French defeat at Trafalgar (1805). Smuggling was commonplace. Demand did not increase.
- Limiting trade damaged the shipbuilding and linen industries disastrously.
- Resentment of the system contributed to the growth of nationalist and other opposition.
- Attempts to extend the system into Spain and Russia may have aided the collapse of the Empire.
11
Q
4
Why did the Peninsular War begin?
A
- Portugal refused to follow the Berlin Decrees and consistently allowed British trade and was used by them as a base for an active land campaign against the French.
Bring Spain fully under his control (used Marshal Murat to put down revolutions harshly).
Bring Spain into the Empire by installing Joseph Bonaparte as Empire (popular in Naples but resented in Spain).
- Spain and France had been allied in 1801 by the Treaty of Madrid. In 1807 they agreed to divide Portugal between them. However, Charles IV of Spain was forced to abdicate by his son Ferdinand in March 1808. Napoleon used this as an opportunity to replace the King with his brother Joseph Bonaparte, then the King of Naples. After only a month Joseph was expelled from Madrid and the French defeated at Baylen. A prolonged war followed, with British troops joining the resistance, eventually under Wellington.
- The Spanish resented the French and the Catholic Church stirred this enmity, creating a constant campaign of revolt, guerrilla attacks and resistance. Napoleon intervened in 1808-9, retaking Madrid in December 1808 and returning Joseph to the throne. However, the war in Austria drew him away at the beginning of 1809.
- The British troops continued to supply and support resistance through Portugal until 1814 (attack, retreat, regroup, repeat). This created the famous ‘ulcer’ and was a constant drain on resources.
12
Q
2
Why was Napoleon forced to wage war in Spain and Portugal? Why did he end up losing? - Role of Sea Power
A
- The British were well-supplied by the navy from bases in Portugal.
- Portugal was then used as a base from which to eventually invade Spain and then France.
13
Q
4
Why was Napoleon forced to wage war in Spain and Portugal? Why did he end up losing? - Role of Military/Diplomatic
Mistakes
A
- Napoleon never returned to Spain after 1809; he struggled to fight a war on two fronts.
- Napoleon had never shared his plans before, meaning that his marshals were incompetent or failed to act quickly. They quarrelled and divided command (especially against the skilled commander Wellington).
- Napoleon had grown over-confident and so had not planned well enough. He had many commitments and did not plan for a scorched earth policy. He believed he could easily beat Spain.
- Napoleon only had a superficial knowledge of the Iberian Peninsula. This became an issue when fighting Spanish guerrillas, who did not follow his usual approach of set piece battles. They were able to use the hilly terrain to wear down his troops, sapping motivation (especially after Napoleon himself left).
14
Q
5
Why was Napoleon forced to wage war in Spain and Portugal? Why did he end up losing? - Role of Overstretched
Resources
A
- In 1808, Sir John Moore landed in Portugal and Napoleon had to abandon Madrid in order to send troops there.
- By 1809, Napoleon was facing war on two fronts. Some troops had to march a long way from Portugal, weakening them by the time they arrived in Austria; this also sapped resources from the Iberian Peninsular.
- Communication lines were overextended. - The French were unable to live off the land, meaning they had to be supplied (expensive, slowing) or be abandoned.
- The 1813 defeat in Spain at Vittoria was partly due to the depletion of the French force by the Russian campaign.
- Not a quick victory, meaning that both time and resources were consumed: 300 000 troops were killed and Napoleon struggled to muster a large enough army to win decisively. The Iberian War cost 3 billion franc, damaging the French economy. French taxes would eventually have to rise, upsetting the bourgeoisie and damaging provisions for the sans-culottes.
14
Q
4
Why was Napoleon forced to wage war in Spain and Portugal? Why did he end up losing? - Role of Popular
Resentment
A
- The Spanish people resented the French, and Joseph in particular.
- The Catholic clergy stirred up trouble.
- The war shattered the ‘myth of invincibility’ and encouraged resistance to Napoleon in the rest of Europe.
- The propertied middle classes at home were alienated.
15
Q
5
Fouché and Talleyrand
A
- In 1809, Napoleon was shaken by a plot to overthrow him, involving Murat (a trusted Marshal); Fouché (Minister of Police) and Talleyrand (a close advisor and vital diplomat).
- They had made secret overtures to the British. Napoleon was furious when he found out and dismissed all three.
- Without Talleyrand, Napoleon was inflexible and a poor diplomat.
- Fouché was soon appointed to a new position, Talleyrand lingered around the Court. Fouché finally deserted in 1814; with Talleyrand, he would later head Louis XVIII’s government.
- This does demonstrate a lack of support in France even before the Russian campaign.
16
Q
6
Why did relations deteriorate between Russia and France and lead to War?
A
Breakdown of the Treaty of Tilsit (1807)
- Napoleon and the Russian tsar were both wary of each other’s expansionist ambitions (e.g. Russia’s plans for Turkey, French stirring of Polish nationalism and Russian concerns over its use as a potential springboard for attacking them). There was friction over Napoleon’s 1810 annexation of the Duchy of Oldenburg (previously the tsar’s brother-in-law’s).
- Russia’s lack of support in the 1809 war with Austria.
- Napoleon’s marriage to an Austrian, rather than a Russian, princess. The Russian aristocracy were deeply opposed to Napoleon.
- The Tsar’s failure to obey the Continental System/Napoleon’s economic policies. In 1810 he abandoned the Blockade and made a trade tariff that favoured Britain over France.
- The Tsar wanted Prussia to remain as a buffer state and disliked the French stationing troops there. Napoleon’s personal ambition and his confidence of a quick victory.
- It looks like a crazy thing to do, but it might have worked. The Russian Empire ahd 40 million people in 1812, but France alone had 29 million and with all its empire was 144 million people. Also Russia had long borders which would be impossible to defend and half its population were serfs. Russia had been defeated by him in 1805 and 1807 and Tsar Alexander had antagonised almost every major group in Russia by his alliance with Napoleon at the Treaty of Tilsit.
17
Q
2
Why was the Russian campaign such a disaster for Napoleon?
A
- In June 1812 Napoleon invaded Russia at the head of an army of 600,000. Despite his alleged victory at Borodino and subsequent occupation of Moscow the Tsar refused to negotiate a peace treaty and the scorched earth policy meant that there was no way Napoleon would be able to feed and keep his army alive over the winter. He needed to retreat.
- In October the French army was forced to retreat along the same route it had entered Russia. This had been stripped of food supplies on the way in and the French were short of food. They faced punishing attacks by Russian Cossacks, partisans and peasants and suffered badly from snow and cold weather. By the time he got out the huge army had been reduced from 600,000 to 120,000.
18
Q
4
Why was the Russian campaign such a disaster for Napoleon? - Consequences
A
- Napoleon had lost a great many of his experienced soldiers. The Europeans saw that he was now vulnerable.
- He faced a plot and serious opposition in France. Within France there was growing discontent (e.g. finances, conscription, threat of invasion)
- Britain, Russia and Prussia formed the Sixth Coalition, driven by Russia (the Tsar takes it on as a holy mission). They are joined later by Austria and by Sweden in the summer of 1813.
- Napolone would face a struggle to replace the Grand Army and worrying reliance on Empire conscription.
19
Q
6
Why was Napoleon unsuccessful in the final campaigns of 1813-1815?
A
- 2 May 1813 Battle of Lutzen Napoleon had managed to revive his army and get it back up to nearly 400,000. Many of the men were young and inexperienced and were known as “the Marie Louises” due to the fact that many were too young even to shave.
- 13th August 1813 Hostilities recommence. Napoleon now faced three major powers, subsidised by Britain over a front of 500 miles. He had gathered 375,000 men but his enemies were divided into three armies of 125,000 around Berlin, 104,000 in Silesia and 254,000 in Bohemia. Their commanders, who included Bernadotte, one of Napoleon’s former marshals (who had become King of Sweden) were familiar with his tactics and determined to avoid prolonged conflicts which were designed to wear down the French allies by keeping them moving against three possible lines of attack.
- 16 – 19 October - 1813 Battle of the Nations – or Battle of Leipzig. Involving a total of more than 600 000 men, it was the largest single battle Europe had ever seen and would remain so until the outbreak of WWI. This defeat forced the French to retreat across the Rhine and take up defensive positions on that front. His tired defeated men (many of them not French) were hit by typhus
- December 1813 Proposals withdrawn Napoleon had hesitated too long. He was now offered new harsher terms that included the retreat of France to its 1791 boundaries which included the loss of Belgium. January 1814 Invasion of Northern France The Allies forced Napoleon steadily backwards with overwhelming numbers - February 1814 Napoleon chose to fight on in what became known as his Six Days campaign His attempt to resist the invading allies of 200,000 men with an army of 60,000 was unrealistic but he chose an offensive strategy in the Champagne region and managed to win multiple battles.
- 9th March 1814 Treaty of Chaumont Allies faltered but then agreed to preserve the coalition until Napoleon’s complete defeat rallied by British Foreign Secretary Castlereagh.
Napoleon puts out a decree for 900,000 fresh conscripts. Only a fraction of these conscripts materialise. However, it does show that Napoleon plans to go on fighting regardless.
30th March 1814 The Allies enter Paris. A provisional government organised by Talleyrand plots to remove Napoleon. - 6th April 1814 Treaty of Fontainebleau Napoleon forced to abdicate and go into exile on Elba.
20
Q
3
“The Strength of the Sixth Coalition was the decisive factor in the fall of Napoleon in 1814” How far do you agree? - YES
A
- European powers had learned from their mistakes. They were now determined to work together and they promised not to make independent agreements whatever Napoleon offered in the Treaty of Chaumont. Its terms specified that they would not make a separate peace with Napoleon but all stay in the war until he was defeated. The Coalition had a single coherent goal – to free Germany from French control.
- All four major powers in Europe agreed to follow a united military strategy. They had learned from their previous mistakes and the lack of co-ordination between Austria and Russia which had been so disastrous in 1805 was not repeated. They had improved their armies and now had better artillery, more flexible troop formation s and new generals.
- They had learned how Napoleon fought and knew how to deal with it. At Leipzig for instance
Napoleon could not use any surprise decisive
military tactics because the enemy now knew what to watch out for.
21
Q
4
“The Strength of the Sixth Coalition was the decisive factor in the fall of Napoleon in 1814” How far do you agree? - NO
A
- France was very much weakened by the disaster in Russia. It was also still dealing with the problems in Spain. Nationalism had become very strong among countries that resented being used by France for their own purposes. The disasters in both Russia and France had taken away the conviction that Napoleon was invincible.
- The loss of so many veterans meant that Napoleon had not got an established rapport with his soldiers any more.
- The failure to bankrupt Britain through he Continental Strategy and the failure to deal with the British navy left Britain free to continue to supply the coalition with large subsidies.
- Perhaps most significantly, Napoleon’s career was based on self confidence and a belief in his own destiny so he would not compromise or accept the very reasonable offer made to him in the Frankfurt proposals of November 1813. Napoleon had not created a loyalty or unity in his Empire and in France itself his frequent absences, the heavy cost of his campaigns and the lack of successes since 1809 had lost him vital support. The people were heartily sick of war. He did not realise this and so it can be said that his personal failings were a key contributio
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# 5
How important is the battle of Waterloo?
- When he saw that the allies were disagreeing about peace terms and also that the restored Louis XVIII was becoming unpopular he decided he should risk returning. On 1 March 1815 he landed near Cannes with a thousand men and rapidly moved north. He urged his old troops to rally to him and spoke about saving France from the priests and the nobles by a second revolution. Troops sent under his old comrade Marshal Ney refused to arrest Napoleon and both they and Ney joined him. He progressed to Paris and Louis XVIII fled. By 20 March Napoleon was back in his old palace.
- Napoleon expressed private doubts about a new constitution but held a mass rally to discuss reform. A new and more liberal constitution called the Acte Additionnel was proclaimed. It was known as “le Benjamine” after its author Benhamin Constant. Napoleon claimed he had always been a liberal, wanted more democracy and worked for national freedom in Europe. He sent a message to the monarchs of Europe saying he wanted peace and accepted the Treaty of Paris. They did not believe him.
- The allies renewed their 1814 Treaty of Chaumont and tried to raise forces. England had many troops in America dealing with a war there. Napoleon meanwhile recreated his army, calling on veterans and to the shock of the allies, he was able to mobilise an army of 140,000 with a reserve of 200,000.
- The main allied forces were in the Netherlands, with Wellington at Brussels and the Prussians under Blucher at Liege. Napoleon advanced against them hoping to inflict defeats on them separately and discourage any further military action. He had initial success against the Prussians, however he failed to inflict a crushing defeat and detached part of his force under his subordinate, Grouchy to pursue them and prevent any union with his next main enemy the British. An initial encounter at Quatre Bras was indecisive and Wellington withdrew to defend Brussels. On 18 June the last great battle of the Napoleonic Wars took place. Despite all Napoleon’s efforts on a rain-soaked field he could not break Wellington’s defences before the Prussians arrived. The British offered heroic resistance at the key points on the battlefield of Hougoumont and La Haye Saint. Grouchy failed to stop the Prussians from joining the battle and Napoleon had failed in a series of unimaginative frontal assaults on Wellington’s men.
- The battle was important. Wellington called the battle “a damned nice thing – the nearest run thing you ever saw in your life” but the existence of a large Prussian force and the failure to offer anything except a series of desperate frontal assaults did not make the battle much more than an endurance test which the British were well placed to win, given Wellington’s defensive abilities and the arrival of the Prussians. It heralded the end, but it has to be said that even had he won this battle it is entirely improbable that the allies would have left him alone to rule. Defeating him might have taken a little longer but it is certain that they would not have allowed him to continue. As it was the battle drove Napoleon back to Paris where the provisional government forced him to abdicate on 22 June.
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# 3
Why did Napoleon fail in his conquest of Europe? - Factor 1 – Russian campaign
- Triggered because of Russia not enforcing the Continental Blockade. Napoleon invaded in the hopes of making them sue for peace and as the terms of the peace continue to block British trade.
- The first issue for Napoleon was the amount of men he lost. The army he assembled was the greatest Europe had seen, 600,000 strong. Estimates on how many Napoleon lost vary, but he certainly wasn’t left with much more than 100,000 remaining. He always struggled from that point on to raise a force large enough to meet the various enemies that he faced. Make it plain though that you are not just informing the examiner about the losses. Explain the impact this would have on future fighting. Clearly he lost a huge number of veteran soldiers, even though he was able to build up another substantial army he never came close to recreating his Grande Armée.
- Another key element of the Russian campaign was the fact that it reignited the resistance against him. Prior to his invasion of Russia he had most of Europe defeated or allied with him, the exceptions being Britain and Russia. Within a year of his retreat from Russia both Austria and Prussia had declared war against him again.
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# 3
Why did Napoleon fail in his conquest of Europe? - Factor 2 – The Peninsular campaign
- Napoleon invaded the Iberian Peninsular (Spain + Portugal) for similar reasons, to try to stop Britain from trading goods through them.
- The campaign became known as Napoleon’s ‘Spanish Ulcer’ the idea being that it was draining Napoleon, without actually defeating him. Spain became a constant drain on Napoleon’s resources. Because of the effectiveness of the British and Spanish guerrilla troops France had to commit far more troops to deal with them, in comparison. Leading in turn to France fighting a war on two fronts.
- It also stopped the Continental Blockade from ever being truly effective. Britain’s trade with the continent did temporarily decrease after Napoleon put in place the blockade, but on in the short term. Trade through Spain and Portugal increased significantly during the period.
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# 4
Why did Napoleon fail in his conquest of Europe? - Factor 3 – Britain’s role
- Britain was the only country to be constantly at war with France and Napoleon for the duration of the Napoleonic wars.
- It constantly funded the other countries to fight Napoleon on the continent. Austria in particular received huge amounts of money to continue to fight France.
- Britain ensured that Napoleon never had domination on sea. Victories at the battle of the Nile and, most importantly, Trafalgar meant that Napoleon never had the control of the sea he needed to completely dominate Europe.
- As long as Britain existed it offered an ally for any countries who were annoyed with their treatment with Napoleon.
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# 3
Why did Napoleon fail in his conquest of Europe? - Factor 4 – Napoleon’s flaws
Napoleon was a great general, however his overconfidence contributed to his defeat.
- Napoleon was overconfident. This was a strength in the beginning, but overtime contributed to his defeat in a couple of key ways:
- He overstretched himself. Fighting war on two fronts, Spain and Russia, meant that Napoleon had spread himself too thin.
- He also didn’t adapt in the later stages of the war. Napoleon had revolutionised warfare in the early stages, but as his enemies adopted his strategies he abandoned a lot of what had made him successful to begin with.
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# 5
What lasting impact did Napoleon have on France? - Maintained the Revolution/the French people benefited from Napoleon’s rule
- Reintroduced slavery in the colonies
- Removed all the rights women gained during the revolution
- France suffered hugely from the wars that Napoleon involved them in. Both in terms of damage to their economy and the amount of men they lost in this period.
- Set up a Ministry of Police which had a network of spies around France. He also censored newspapers, books and plays so he controlled what people said and read
- Both of these were largely ceremonial and were nowhere near as radical as the changes of the Revolution itself.
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# 4
What lasting impact did Napoleon have on France? - Didn’t maintain/French people did not benefit from Napoleon’s rule
- Code Napoleon – confirmed that everyone was equal under the law Reintroduced slavery in the colonies.
- The Concordat upheld the takeover of church land. Improved roads and canals – for military
purposes but aided the French people as well.
- Introduces new schools for all, focused on practical skills.
- Gave titles to citizens, not just the nobility. Also allowed citizens the vote on certain issues.
