Napoleon and Revolutionary Reforms

Through a return to monarchy, Napoleon had destroyed democracy in France, but in the administrative field he incorporated revolutionary principles to make the whole system more rational and efficient.

The Civil Code of 1804 — usually known as the Napoleonic Code — did away with:

  • all privileges based on birth,
  • and established equality before the law and secured the right to property.

This Code was exported to the regions under French control. In the Dutch Republic, Switzerland, Italy and Germany, Napoleon simplified administrative divisions, abolished the feudal system and freed peasants from serfdom and manorial dues. In the towns, guild restrictions were removed, and transport and communication were improved.

Who Benefited — and the Mixed Reactions

Peasants, artisans, workers and new businessmen enjoyed a new-found freedom. Businessmen and small producers began to realise that uniform laws, standardised weights and measures, and a common national currency would ease the movement and exchange of goods and capital between regions.

However, in the conquered areas the reactions of local populations were mixed. At first, in places such as Holland, Switzerland, Brussels, Mainz, Milan and Warsaw, the French armies were welcomed as harbingers of liberty. But the initial enthusiasm soon turned to hostility, as it became clear that the new administration did not go hand in hand with political freedom. Increased taxation, censorship and forced conscription into the French armies came to outweigh the advantages of the administrative changes. (Napoleon was finally defeated at the Battle of Leipzig in 1813.)

Questions and Answers

Q1. What was the Napoleonic Code (Civil Code of 1804)? Ans. The Napoleonic Code of 1804 did away with all privileges based on birth, established equality before the law, and secured the right to property. It was exported to the regions under French control, where Napoleon also abolished feudalism, freed peasants from serfdom and removed guild restrictions.

Q2. How did businessmen and small producers benefit from Napoleon's reforms? Ans. They benefited from uniform laws, standardised weights and measures, and a common national currency, which made it easier to move and exchange goods and capital between regions.

Questions and Answers (continued)

Q3. Why did the initial enthusiasm for French rule turn into hostility? Ans. People soon realised that the new administration did not bring political freedom. Increased taxation, censorship and forced conscription into the French armies came to outweigh the advantages of the administrative reforms, turning enthusiasm into hostility.

Q4. Name any two reforms Napoleon introduced in the regions under his control. Ans. He abolished the feudal system and freed peasants from serfdom, and removed guild restrictions in the towns while improving transport and communication (any two).