Napoleon in Power
History: KS3, topic 13.2.3
Napoleon in Power
Napoleon was determined to restore order to France, after years of chaos and violence.
The Napoleonic Code
- Napoleon introduced the Napoleonic Code, which was a set of laws for French citizens to follow.
- The Code set out clear guidelines for things like tax collection, reformed the French education system and stated that government jobs should be appointed on the grounds of qualifications, not of birth and status.
Religion
- Although Napoleon restored Catholicism as the major religion in France, his Napoleonic Code also established freedom of religion.
Censorship
- However, while the Napoleonic Code promoted freedom and equality in some regards, Napoleon also used censorship of the press (to make sure nothing bad or negative was published about him) and propaganda (to promote his rule in a positive way).
The Emperor
- Napoleon had an appetite for power and status, and he had himself crowned Emperor of France in 1804 AD.
- Although Napoleon was idolised by many in France for bringing stability back to the country, this return to an absolutist ruler had echoes of the Ancien Regime and France before the revolution.
Test yourself on Napoleon in Power
In what way did the Napoleonic Code NOT promote freedom and equality?
In which year did Napoleon have himself crowned Emperor of France?
What happened in 1804?