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From the Thermidorian Reaction to Napoleon as Emperor:
Domestic Policies
Thermidorian Reaction, 1794
Robespierre Arrested
Thermidorian Reaction, 1794
Robespierre Executed
Thermidorian Reaction, 1794• Price controls removed
• Government put down working class rebellions
• Catholic Church reappeared
• Upper middle class asserting its right to rule
The Directory (1795-1799)
• New Constitution applied to France and the Netherlands
• The five member Directory was unpopular – suppressed opposition – took bribes– extended the war against Austria (until1797) and Britain – nullified election of 1797
Brumiere Coup, 1799• Bonaparte takes power militarily, is named First Counsel • The populace sees Bonaparte as confident, decisive and
intelligent • Napoleon engineered public support with an “election”
which overwhelmingly approved his constitution and his 1st consul position.
Napoleonic Style
• Hostile to vestiges of feudalism (seigneurialism) Bourbon absolutism, and aristocratic privilege
• Committed to equality of opportunity
• Believed in political centralization and authoritarian control
• Over time more focused on war than preserving liberties
Napoleon’s Political Organization
• Creation of unchecked executive power
• Allowed most émigrés back into France if they swore an oath of loyalty
• Suppressed independent political parties and the free press– Opponents sent to prison or mental institutions– Only newspapers were government propaganda
Napoleonic Government
• Government was carried out by paid state employees rewarded for their service and loyalty (a meritocracy)
• No purchasing of government or army offices• No distinct legal classes or estates• Attempted to tax everyone fairly – wealthier paid
more in taxes• Bank of France established to create a sound
currency and monetary policy • Secondary and higher school systems were
reorganized and improved
Napoleonic or Civil Code – part 1
• Uniform legal system that assured legal equality of all men
• Protected ownership of private property
• Assured freedom of religion
Napoleonic or Civil Code – part 2
• Intellectual life regulated and censored, monitored by secret police
• Banned strikes and labor unions
• Gave the government an advantage in legal prosecutions
• Husband had power over wife– No legal rights for women– Women cannot own property
Napoleon’s Religious Settlements - Concordat of 1801 with the Vatican• Willing to allow the Catholic Church to
operate as long as it was under the control of the state.
• Seminaries permitted• Seized church lands were NOT returned• All religions tolerated• French state paid the salaries of both
Catholic priests and Protestant ministers