Many people looked at Napoleon as an influential figure. In
a document called The Lost Voices of
Napoleonic Historians, a historian describes
Napoleon as a great ruler, "He was the greatest genius of his time,"
she wrote, adding, "perhaps of all time, yet he lacked the crown of
greatness -- that high wisdom born of reflection and introspection which knows
its own powers and limitations, and never abuses them; that fine sense of
proportion which holds the rights of others in the same solemn reverence which
it demands for its own."
Napoleon Bonaparte had an influential impact on France as
well as the rest of Europe. With his superior rule he was able to change the
country politically, socially and economically. Napoleon’s biggest impact
occurred through military and political innovations. Changes in this area are
because he had control over countries such as Belgium, Egypt, France,
Rhineland, Holland and many other countries. With his power, he had the
authority to change how countries were run. A major change was the
introduction of a new government system called meritocracy, a way of ruling
that appointed a leader based on their ability to lead and their knowledge instead
of their social class and their past kinns. This system complies with the
change in the social economy that Napoleon imposed because it exploited
nobility and brought focus to the common man.
Napoleon positively impacted social systems by making all treated
and valued equally. To achieve that, he extradited serfdom and got rid of
nobility power which ensured the common people of France an improved
life. The majority of the people in France supported this new system, except
for the high class nobles. The high class nobles were upset with this new
system because their power decreased. Madame de Stael was a
nobility member and a daughter of King Louis XVI’s former
financial adviser. In a document I read she describes her opinion on the
new social system. She says, "His system was to encroach daily upon
France's liberty and Europe's independce." She disagrees with Napoleon’s system
because she loses her power. On the other hand, a man named Michel Marshall Rey
benefits from the new system because he was an officer who served for Napoleon.
Rey describes Napoleon as an "immoral legend." He benefited from
Napoleon's ruling because he gained power and had the ear of France. Napoleon
gained both military and political power through appealing to the masses of
people.
Napoleon also made enormous economic improvements. He expanded trade
throughout the many countries he conquered. He also built many new canals and
roads. This benefited the people because it allowed for a faster flow
of trade throughout the countries, creating more revenue. Another way
he stimulated and enhanced the economic system was through tariffs
outside of Europe where he was able to get products for better trade. Along
with trade he was able to balance France’s budget. All of these
accomplishments increased revenue for France.
The Lost Voices of Napoleonic Historians
http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/biographies/c_historians.html
http://www.mrodenberg.com/category/corsica/
Document sources: Ten Years of exile by Madame de Stael and The French Revolution and Napoleon:An eye witness history by Joe H. Kringberger
