FREE ESSAY ON BONAPARTE BETRAYED THE REVOLUTION

BONAPARTE BETRAYED THE REVOLUTION

'Bonaparte betrayed the revolution.' Do you agree with this statement? Justify your
answer.
Napoleon Bonaparte's attitude towards the French Revolution is one that has often raised
questions. That the revolution had an influence on Bonaparte's regime cannot be denied -
but to what extent? When one looks at France after Napoleon's reign it is clear that he
had brought much longed for order and stability. He had also established institutions
that embodied the main principles of the revolution. However, it is also evident that
many of his policies directly contradict those same principles. Was Napoleon betraying
the same revolution that gave him power, or was he merely a pragmatist, who recognised
that to consolidate the achievements of the revolution he needed to sacrifice some of
those principles?
Firstly, in order to determine whether Bonaparte betrayed the revolution it is necessary
to define what one means by "the revolution". Clearly there never was just one French
Revolution, but rather a series of revolutions. These occurred while the French struggled
to create a new political and social system - one that would follow principles radically
different to that of the 'ancien' regime. There were five regimes to French Revolution
between 1787 and 1800. However, despite this fragmented revolution the same fundamental
principles guided most of the revolutionaries involved. These principles included
equality under law, centralisation of government, elimination of feudal rights, religious
freedom and careers open to talent, not birth. In short, the three key principles were
liberty, equality and fraternity. It is generally thought that Napoleon was a supporter
of these principles. Historian Georges Lefebvre wrote that Bonaparte was "…. a
pupil of the philosophies, he detested feudalism, civil inequality and religious
intolerance". In order to determine the validity of such a statement, one needs to
examine institutions founded by Napoleon and conclude if they contained elements of these
principles.
The most lasting and enduring of Napoleon's achievements is the Code Napoleon. When he
came to power, after the coup d'etat of 18 Brumaire, in 1899, France was administratively
in chaos. It was lacking the foundation that was essential in order to institutionalise
the triumphs of the revolution. That is until Napoleon drew up his own administrative
framework. Initially known as the Civil Code it was promulgated between March 1803 and
March 1804. As a set of laws it unified France legally. The submission of all members of
society to a common scheme of justice recognised the demands of the revolutionary crowds.
In the lists of grievances that had been handed to Louis XVI just prior to the
revolution, many had asked that French Laws be uniform . Where Louis had failed to
respond, Napoleon acted. Thus he can be seen as building upon the revolution. Equality, a
key principle of the revolution was consistently enforced in the code. It guaranteed
freedom of the person, freedom of religion and proclaimed "freedom of work". The code
also required equal inheritance by all male heirs . The manner in which Napoleon
efficiently used The Civil Code to centralise power in France is proof that he was
following the ideologies of those behind the revolution. In particular ideals of the 1793
revolutionaries, who were anxious for centralisation. Napoleon once declared that "The
revolution is frozen" and the code was his way of preserving achievements brought about
by the revolution.
One of the main grievances of those involved in the revolution was lack of advancement
within society. The Bourgeoisie in particular found it difficult to advance their careers
due to birth status. Thus, a catch cry of the revolutionary crowds became - "Career Open
to Talent". Napoleon, upon coming to power, enforced this revolutionary aim of the
bourgeoisie. Careers were open to all those with ability, regardless of birth or social
status. Napoleon proclaimed in 1816, "Wherever I found talent and courage I rewarded it"
. He backed up this statement by establishing 'lycees". These were secondary schools for
boys, where admission was based on ability. Like Napoleon in Animal Farm, education of
the young was a priority in Bonaparte's society. He created an upward ladder within
society, opening an avenue of opportunity for the less wealthy in society by providing
scholarships to those displaying ability. The only criterion being that the boy's family
were supporters of Napoleon. Thus, one of the grievances that had pushed the revolution
forward was resolved. A revolutionary aim was realised.
A strategy of Napoleon's that was intended to foster equality, as well as to reward
talent, was the establishing of the Legion of Honour. Despite protests that it was a
violation of equality , the practice of recognising civic contributions to society was
widely regarded as a means of promoting equality. Le Memorial de Sainte-Helene (1821)
declared that "…. establishment of the Legion of Honour, which was the reward for
military, civil, and judicial service, united side by side the soldier, the scholar, the
artist, the prelate, and the magistrate;". Napoleon continually proved to be able to heal
divisions caused by a revolution demanding equality. In order to bring the ideals of the
revolution to fruition, i.e. to create social equality, Napoleon recognised that diverse
groups in society needed to reconcile and unite in their attempt to consolidate the
achievements of the revolution. So, as he himself stated, "I became the arch of the
alliance between the old and the new, the natural mediator between the old and the new
orders … I belonged to them both" . Always the pragmatist Napoleon united those who
were on opposing sides in the Revolution. The past and one's past actions were forgotten
as long as one showed support for Napoleon. For example, former royalists who now served
the empire could be promoted . 
Social divides were hindering France from reaping the benefits gained by the revolution.
None more so than religious divides. As the revolution had progressed traditional
religions were persecuted, despite the fact that France was a majority Catholic country.
Leaders, such as Robespierre who had set up the Cult of the Supreme Being , had
terrorised Catholics. Hostility also remained within the church between those who had
supported the revolution and those who had not. Therefore, there was much discontent in
France. Many felt that such divisions and terrorising contradicted the ideals of liberty
and fraternity. Napoleon was one such person. Signing the Concordat (15 July 1801) with
Pope Pius VII allowed him to reconcile the religious differences that had torn France
apart during the revolution. At the same time the Concordat insured religious freedom. It
recognised Catholicism as the religion of the majority in France, but it did not make it
an "established religion". The Concordat brought tranquillity to France and therefore
allowed Napoleon to solidify some of the changes brought about by the revolution.
Many of Napoleon's policies within France were not regarded as being truly revolutionary
and it must be acknowledged that Napoleon's main aim within France was to consolidate
rather than to advance. However, it was during the building of his Empire that Napoleon
proved to be a truly revolutionary man. It was the aim of many of the revolution's
leaders to revolutionize the rest of Europe - something that Napoleon accomplished. The
principles that he inherited from the revolution he tried to export to the countries that
he conquered. In fact, Napoleon's enthusiasm to "revolutionize" the rest of Europe
eventually caused his downfall. Napoleon himself claimed that he was only trying to
liberate Europe. Unlike Napoleon in Animal Farm, Bonaparte was willing to spread the
message of the revolution to other areas, as well as consolidating it at home. Eventually
this ambition, along with his thirst for battle, led to his demise. On 6 April 1814 he
abdicated after a crushing defeat by the British, Prussians and Russians. When he could
have been satisfied with the expansions he had made and extending revolutionary
principles to these areas, he instead went to war, in an attempt to spread the revolution
even further.
Of course, while acknowledging that Bonaparte was the consolidator of the revolution, it
must be recognised that elements of the revolution suffered under his rule. Napoleon
restored titles abolished by the revolution. For example, 'prince' was reintroduced
(1804), followed by 'duke' (1806). These were given to ordinary people in recognition of
service to the state. Many believed Napoleon was undermining the principle of equality
and undoing the work of the revolution by establishing new 'nobility' - the 'notables' .
It seemed Napoleon was creating a new social hierarchy based on service to the state. The
introduction of the Legion of Honour was also regarded as a step towards the recreation
of an aristocracy. However, Napoleon claimed that these honours merely marked
distinguished careers. He believed that they re-enforced equality, showing how people of
all economic means could be rewarded equally. He was levelling ranks by raising them not
by lowering them, creating social equality.
Historian Tom Holmeberg noted that many blame Napoleon for destroying the principle of
liberty in France. However, in fact the revolutionaries themselves were never successful
in attaining liberty during the revolution. Historian Albert Vandal stated that
"Bonaparte can be reproached for not having established liberty; he cannot be accused of
having destroyed it, for the excellent reason that on his return from Egypt he did not
find it anywhere in France". Nonetheless, it could never be a realistic aim of Napoleon
to establish liberty while France was in chaos. He believed that liberty would only come
with the preservation of order and the consolidation of the triumphs of the revolution.
Therefore, liberty was sacrificed. While liberty could not be guaranteed Napoleon would
instead assure the French of their rights, in the Napoleonic Code. Albert Mathiez wrote
that Napoleon "would keep most of the revolutionary institutions while at times
amalgamating them with those of the Old Regime, which were restored but adapted. His work
would prove so solid that it made any total restoration of the past impossible."
Therefore it seems clear that Napoleon was leading France firmly down a path (the
foundations of which were laid during the Revolution) that had elements of the 'ancien'
regime in its construction for support. Ever the pragmatist, Napoleon recognised that
unless his was a balanced system the triumphs of the Revolution would be lost.
Napoleon Bonaparte was certainly a man of the revolution. He was not its betrayer but in
fact its heir and preserver. This is evident in his policies. In France his Code Napoleon
embodied the principles of the revolution and provided France with the administrative
framework necessary for building institutions founded on the ideals of the revolution. He
unified a country which had been torn apart by political, religious and social strife for
over a decade. He ensured religious tolerance. He opened careers to talent and rewarded
those who served the state regardless of traditional social status. It is abroad that we
truly see Bonaparte for the revolutionary man he was. Trying to spread the ideals of
equality, liberty and fraternity to other nations eventually cost Napoleon his power. He
was building a fragmented empire, one that was increasingly difficult to administer.
However, his determination to revolutionize Europe blinded him to this fact, eventually
leading to his downfall. Above all Bonaparte was a pragmatist. He recognised the need to
be practical and was willing to sacrifice certain principles of the revolution in order
to make others permanent. It was he who ended the revolution in France, consolidated its
gains, corrected its extravagances and exported its ideals to Europe. He certainly did
not betray it. As Francois Furet wrote, "He was chosen by the revolution, from which he
received his strange power not only to embody a new nation … but also to fulfil its
destiny."
Bibliography
? D.M.G. Sutherland, France 1789-1815 Revolution and Counterrevolution (London 1985)
? Tom Holmberg, "Napoleon and the French Revolution", 1998,
www.napoleonbonaparte.nl/html/body_nap_and_revolution.html
? www.chesco.com/~artman/napoleonbonaparte.html (Quotes by Napoleon Bonaparte)
? George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Middlesex, England 1945)
? Colin Jones, The Longman Companion to the French Revolution, (New York, 1988)
? John Merriman, A History of Modern Europe, Volume 1, (London, New York)
? Class Notes
? Class Documents HI 4712
Class Readings HI4712