Napoleon Bonaparte: Heir Of The French Revolution

Napoleon Bonaparte, Heir of the French Revolution

Regarded as one of the most tactically gifted generals of all time, Napoleon Bonaparte controlled France’s fate after the radical modification brought on by the French revolution. Napoleon is a man of controversy and remains one. Napoleon’s behavior has been considered eccentric by some individuals. However, the question that is being contemplated is whether Napoleon was heir to the French Revolution. Did Napoleon build upon what was founded by the Revolution? Did he, at all, maintain or develop some of the fundamental ideals? Napoleon indirectly influenced and spread ideals of the French revolution throughout Europe, his government and social hierarchy were an embodiment of these ideals.

Before the French Revolution, class or economic status was more imperative in French society and so was government than the individual, meaning status was a decisive contributor to individual success. An individual’s ability was based on the class that they were born to. Nevertheless, the Revolution got rid of this and expressed that almost all people were equal according to the legislature. Moreover, Napoleon further eradicated this by setting up a new system of aristocracy based on merit. Consequently, those who performed and contributed were rewarded. The new elites were men who earned their titles, commonly on the battlefield. A review of his Marshals would showcase that they derive from different compartments of life, including a barrel maker, a cabin boy, a former sergeant, and a minor noble. Furthermore, he created a Legion of Honor to recognize those who performed these outstanding acts (Burnham).Although this mainly applied to middle- class males, these acts created a great foundation for a fair environment upon which almost any individual, regardless of background, could flourish and gain

The constant transition between governing bodies prior to the Napoleonic era frustrated the people of France and prompted an extensive yearning for a bonding force that would unify the nation. The introduction of the Napoleonic code sparked this transformation, as it put France under the first clear, compact statement of French law in centuries. “The code set down, in permanent form, the new liberties that the people had gained in the Revolution” (“Napoleon I”). It became a model for law codes throughout the world. This act finally put France under one firm set of laws that relatively conveyed the ideas of the revolution and brought along a sense of stability to the entire