The Bold and Brave Bonaparte

In the early 1800's Europe was majorly affected by a very powerful man. This extraordinary military leader is commonly known for "his untiring industry, his devotion to the public service, his enlightened views of government and legislation, his humanity." Napoleon Bonaparte, said to be "the greatest genius of his time," had a great influence on the economic, social, and political systems of Europe.  

Politically, Napoleon had both positive and negative impacts on Europe. He was able to overthrow the directory and he was powerful enough to take over many countries, but he became an emperor. Rulers and people like Madame de Staël, who came from families connected to monarchy were not fond of Napoleon. Napoleon took power away from them when he became an emperor and they were forced to follow the Napoleonic code. Madame de Staël claimed Napoleon's goal was to "encroach daily upon France's liberty and Europe's freedom." Though there were clearly people who didn't favor Napoleon, people in the countries he controlled did benefit from his rule.

Napoleon's economic impact was especially positive on France. He strongly encouraged new industry. He built many new railroads and canals. With this increased industry, France was given the opportunity to trade with all the other countries Napoleon ruled over. Impacts like this contribute to why Marshal Michel Ney, an officer who served closely with Napoleon, referred to him as France's "august emperor."

Under Napoleon's rule, people were able to improve their own lives. Napoleon impacted the social system of Europe by creating a meritocracy. A meritocracy is a system in which people are rewarded by skill rather than social class. Napoleon made it so that more people had rights to their own property and access to education. This was seen as a positive impact on the social systems of a Europe.


http://www.napoleon­series.org/research/biographies/c_historians.html
http://www.greatthoughtstreasury.com/author/napoleon-bonaparte-napoleon-i
Ten Years of Exile, by Madame de Staël, trans. Doris Beik (Saturday Review Press, 1972)
The French Revolution and Napoleon: An Eyewitness History, by Joe H. Kirchberger (Facts on File, 1985).