Napoleon’s Domestic Policy

Legacy
• While some people remember Napoleon for his
conquests, many regard his domestic policy as his
greatest legacy to France.
• Still in France today, institutions reflect the
influence of Napoleon.
• His rule provided the stability in France needed to
consolidate the ideas of the revolution that began
in 1789.
 The Bank of France
• Following the French Revolution, economic crises
continued to exist in France. The country had a
debt of 474 million francs.
• Napoleon recognized that economic reform was
essential to help increase employment and restore
confidence in the government’s ability to foster
economic growth.
• Due to this, he created the Bank of France in
January of 1800.
 What was it??? What did it do???
• To strengthen the economy,
Napoleon enforced a law
requiring all citizens to pay
taxes. The Bank of France
provided a place where all tax
money could be deposited.
• It issued government securities
and conducted private business.
• The bank extended low interest
loans to promote industry.
 Bank of France Cont’d…
• At this time, the Franc became the most
stable currency in Europe.
• The Bank of France proved to be a
significant factor in the stabilization of the
French economy.
• It remains as the central financial
institution of France today.
 Tax Reform
• Unlike during the Revolution, tax
collectors under Napoleon were now
professional, government employees.
• Direct taxes on land, business
licenses, personal property, and
servants were maintained at a steady
level as established under the
Directory.
• There were NO tax exemptions
based on class under Napoleon’s new
system.
 The Concordat
• During the Revolution, the
French gov’t created a conflict
with the Catholic Church, when
they confiscated its land and
assumed the right to regulate
church affairs.
• All of the above took place when
the French gov’t implemented the
Civil Constitution of the Clergy.
• As First Consul, Napoleon
desired to reconciliate with the
Church.
 What happened???
• On July 15, 1801, Napoleon signed an
agreement (Concordat) with Pope Pius VII.
• With this agreement, Napoleon ended the
election of bishops.
• Under the agreement, the French gov’t
appointed Catholic bishops and paid the
clergy, but the pope had authority over them.
• It also stated that the Catholic Church would
not demand the return of church property
seized during the revolution.
• Through this, Napoleon did not lose support of
any people who acquired church lands.
 The Napoleonic Code
• The systematic codification of
French law.
• Seen as Napoleon’s greatest
achievement in government and
has influenced French law until
present day.
• It brought together many reforms
of the revolution into a SINGLE,
UNIFIED LEGAL SYSTEM.
 Napoleonic Code cont’d…
• It recognized that ALL MEN WERE
EQUAL BEFORE THE LAW.
• It GUARANTEED FREEDOM OF
RELIGION.
• It provided a person with the RIGHT
TO WORK IN ANY OCCUPATION.
• The state had to be protected from the
criminal actions of individuals, thus
these INDIVIDUALS WERE
REQUIRED TO PROVE THEIR
INNOCENCE.
Bad Points of the Napoleonic Code
• It put the INTERESTS OF THE STATE ABOVE
THOSE OF INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS.
• It also DROPPED LAWS PASSED DURING
THE REVOLUTION THAT PROTECTED THE
RIGHTS OF WOMEN & CHILDREN. Women
were relegated to the status of second-class
citizens under this code. Not until 1945 that they
were given equal rights in France and could vote.
• It reflected ancient Roman law and made the man,
absolute head of the household with control over
all family property.
 Education
• Napoleon claimed, “Equality must
be the first element in education.”
His reforms in this area were
DESIGNED TO PRODUCE A
SKILLED BUREAUCRACY TO
DO THE WORK OF THE STATE.
• LYCEES were set up by Napoleon.
These were GOVERNMENT RUN
SCHOOLS.
 Lycees
• Encouraged extreme patriotism.
• Were run on rigid discipline and
military training in order to produce
future civil servants and officers.
• The same courses were taught at
every school.
• Only children of wealthy parents
attended due to tuition costs.
 Lycees cont’d…
• Represented a ‘first step’
toward a system of public
education.
• Catholic Church was
responsible for primary
education.
• Similar forms of schooling
still exist in France today.
 The Legion of Honour
• In 1802, Napoleon established a way
which he could reward exceptional service
to the Republic.
• Through this, he was able to harness the
loyalty of a talented elite.
• Napoleon insisted the award must be
available to citizens who contributed their
talents through military or civil
achievement.
• It consisted of a medal and a monetary
reward (between 250 to 5000 francs per
year).
• Remains today a symbol of public service
and is still awarded to deserving French
citizens. (Similar to Order of Canada)
 Public Works
• Napoleon improved transportation
and communication by initiating the
construction of canals, the
development of ports and the
construction of roads.
• Paris benefited from many of
Napoleon’s public works projects.
Roads were paved, new bridges built,
and the sewer system was rebuilt.
• A number of monuments were built,
most notably the Arc de Triomphe.
Arc de Triomphe
 What we have learned
• Many of Napoleon’s Domestic
Policies of his time still exist today,
indicating just how brilliant he was
and why he is still regarded highly.
• Not all of Napoleon’s Domestic
Policies benefited all individuals. For
example the Napoleonic Code valued
interests of the state higher than that of
individuals and women were regarded
as second-class citizens.