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