How Did Napoleon's Reign Reflect Enlightenment Ideals

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Napoleon's reign reflected Enlightenment ideals through the way Napoleon ruled France. After Napoleon began his reign he create the Code Napoleon which promoted freedom and equality, as well as the protection of private property while promoting religious tolerance. It also increased oversight to end corruption throughout the French government. These ideals also reflected Enlightenment ideals by endorsing education for all, the separation between church and state, and ending corruption. Napoleon’s reign reflect Enlightenment ideals by protecting civil liberties that promoted freedom. “.... the French people is the friend of all peoples; approach it with confidence; your property, your religion, and your customs will be respected.” This quote reflects Napoleon's beliefs on civil liberties. He protected the people of Frances’ property, religion, and customs under the code of Napoleon through the French government. This idea of civil liberties was one of the main ideas of enlightenment that was promoted by Napoleon during his reign. Napoleon also promoted the separation of “We are …show more content…

Napoleon created administrative regions to centralize government, “ . . . What [your people] impatiently [demand] is that men of no rank, but of marked ability, shall have an equal claim upon your favor and your employment, that every trace of serfdom . . . shall be done away. The benefits of the Code Napoleon [legal code introduced by Napoleon], public trial, and the introduction of juries, will be the leading features of your government.” This quote displays the ideas of Napoleon by promoting an end to corruption. He will promote men not through corruption but by their actual ability through merit. It also displays the idea of a government for the people by the people, all people contributing to government was another major enlightenment idea that was reflected in the reign of