Napoleon Bonaparte of France
Napoleon Bonaparte rose to power in France enforced obligations, and declared that law
after the turmoil of the French Revolution. should be equal for all (at least all adult men).
The people were fatigued of disorder and This made courts more procedural and made
desired security, clear law, and employment. commerce simpler. Shopkeepers and farmers
Napoleon offered them these, and initially, at now knew what their rights and obligations
least, came good on his promises. Napoleon were. The rules weren't ideal, yet clear.
was First Consul, beginning in 1799, and then
in 1804, became Emperor. Under Napoleon, Land and peasantry:
France became more structured and Many farmers received land at the time of the
powerful, as well as less free. In this essay, I Revolution. They feared that nobles or the
will discuss how Napoleon altered daily life Church might take it back. Under Napoleon,
for peasants, the middle class, the Church, new laws and a powerful government made
and soldiers, and how his ruling was both that land secure. Taxes came more often, and
good and bad.1 the Bank of France made money more stable.
In short, life in villages became more secure
Clear laws and everyday life: and regular. But there was a cost: the
Prior to Napoleon, there were varying local government made it mandatory for young
laws in different parts of France, which was men to go into the army. Most of the young
confusing and unfair. Napoleon created one men went to fight in different wars. Families
code of national law, called the Napoleonic suffered when sons did not return, and farms
Code. It safeguarded personal property, lost labor in harvest season. 2
The middle class (the so-called as the Concordat of 1801 with the Pope.
"bourgeoisie"): Catholic services resumed, and priests were
Lawyers, teachers, clerks, merchants, and paid by the government. This made life
army officers mainly prospered under simpler for many faithful individuals. Yet, the
Napoleon. "Careers open to talent" was his Church did not regain its former land, and
preference. In other words, one could rise in bishops and church regulations were still
rank by merit and labor, though not controlled by the government. Napoleon also
necessarily by birth. Lycées (secondary made Protestants and Jews equal in rights. In
schools) were set up by him in order to prep short, he made religious tranquillity but
boys for civil service posts and also the army. retained authority in his hands.1
Work could get someone promoted in a large,
efficient bureaucracy that he created. Women and families:
Business also grew because under the Code, it The Code Napoleonic placed much legal
was easy to set up and fulfil contracts. But authority in homes in the hands of husbands
Napoleon controlled papers and limited and fathers. Women who were married had
political discussion. Order and opportunity limited rights to manage property, much less
therefore came to the middle class, but it to make choices without seeking permission
must sacrifice more limited political of their husband. Divorce, also made simpler
freedoms. 2 in the Revolution, became more complicated
for women. Thus, though the Code was
The Catholic Church: "equal" among adult men in court, it placed
Religion was a large issue in the Revolution. women under more rigid family constraints.2
The churches were shut, and people felt angry
or confused. Napoleon signed a treaty known
The cost of war and the army: work and trade more easily, but they had less
Napoleon's army was famous across Europe. influence in politics. This combination is why
Men could be promoted for being clever and historians describe his rule as authoritarian
courageous, and this inspired numerous but also modernizing.2
young men. There were victories that made
France proud and at times more prosperous Why he remains important?
employment and finances for officers. But Many countries subsequently implemented
there were prolonged and bloody wars with parts of the Napoleonic Code. The ideal of
Spain, Central Europe, and ultimately Russia. one clear set of laws spread regions far
The brutal campaign of 1812 in Russia killed beyond France. His education system and civil
en masse. In 1814-1815, defeat arrived, and service also saw copies. However, his reign
Napoleon lost his authority. The glory of this also teaches us that effective rulers are also
army also entailed great human sacrifices at capable of addressing problems, though also
home.1 taking away freedoms. Learning about
Napoleon shows us that a country can be
Order and freedom: efficient, powerful, yet also hold back
Napoleon's system had both order and people's rights. 1 2
control. He created one law code for France,
made finances stable, set up national schools, Conclusion
and established a professional government. Napoleon transformed France in significant
These changes helped daily life become more manners. The peasantry retained ownership
stable and modern. However, he also of land, the middle class secured work,
restricted voting, controlled the newspapers, worship was restored to the Church, and a
and silenced his opponents. People could strong and efficient government emerged.
But at what price: rigid authority at home and limited liberty. That's why Napoleon remains
risky wars abroad. Double-edged is one of history's best-publicized rulers.1
Napoleon's legacy with clear law and
opportunities to succeed, of course, but
Notes (Chicago Manual of Style — Notes format)
1. “Napoleon I,” Encyclopaedia Britannica, accessed September 15, 2025,
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Napoleon-I.
2. “Napoleon Bonaparte,” HISTORY, updated June 7, 2023, accessed September 15, 2025,
https://www.history.com/topics/france/napoleon.
