One of the most powerful figures in Europe was the child of Corsica and the first French emperor - Napoleon Bonaparte. While France conquered half of Europe, it lost its original image and size. The Napoleonic Code glorified the name of Napoleon when the guaranteed freedom of religion and all privileges based on birth were abolished.
This judicial system was the cradle of the central change in Europe. The significance of these changes depended on each country, but also included:property rights, secularization of Church property, and equality under the law (but not so for women).
Napoleon's life in the early days
Born in 1769, into a large family of aristocratic but not prosperous Corsican people, Napoleon learned the art of discipline from his mother, Letizia Ramolino Buonaparte. Letizia was also a very energetic and emotional woman who gave birth to eight children in her family. His father, Carlo Buonaparte, built as a lawyer a new team with discipline for his son.
Napoleon's military training
At that time, Corsica was conquered by France from the city-state of Genoa in Italy. The military lifestyle took Napoleon's education early. At the age of nine, Napoleon began schooling on the French mainland, while his brother Joseph decided to become a priest. Napoleon took the opportunity to learn French by taking the French College d'Autun.
Finally, Napoleon graduated from the French Military Academy in Brienne, Champagne in 1785. After his father's death, Napoleon moved back to Corsica in 1786. Napoleon's military education continued in majestic Paris full of historical significance. Reading was his favorite hobby, and he even sacrificed money for food to buy books.
Politics and Napoleon in his early days
Politics took his interest very deeply, and always had as its model the homeland of Corsica. Corsica dresses in heroism according to the French annex to the island.
After the disagreement with Pasquale Paole, the Corsican resistance leader and his father's most important influence, Napoleon took the family with him to the French mainland. At the same time, Napoleon changed its name to the French version - Bonaparte.
At the beginning of the French Revolution in 1789. Napoleon expressed his political support for the Jacobins. Jacobins were known under the crown of the dictatorship which was named the terrorist kingdom. Napoleon soon separated from the Jacobins and became a trusted military adviser to the government.
The monarchy fell and was replaced by the French Republic. Immediately after completing the French military academy, Napoleon joined the French army in the artillery.
Napoleon's rise and further power
After signing the Treaty of Campo Formio between France and Austria in 1797, significant territorial victories were intended for France. The main reward goes to Napoleon as commander of the French armies.
Invasion of England was proposed for Napoleon as the next target, but he refused to redirect it to Egyptian territory. The hidden reason for conquering Egypt was to erase the British trade routes with India.
At the Battle of the Pyramids in 1798. Napoleon marked victory and announced the invasion of the Ottoman Empire in Egypt.
Cup of 18 Brumaire
An event called the Cup of 18 Brumaire in 1799, marked the beginning of the French consulate and the end of the French Revolution. Forming a consulate with Napoleon Bonaparte as the first consul instead of the French catalog at the highest level of government paved the way for Napoleon's despotism.
Napoleon's power increased after defeating the Austrians at the Battle of Morengo in 1800. Britain also signed a peace treaty with France described in the Treaty of Amiens in 1802. Victory after victory Napoleon expanded the territory of the French Republic.
The positive consequences of the Brumaire incident brought France's stability. The government was centralized, banks and education experienced further reforms. The relationship between state and church has improved. All this leads to the awakening of the Napoleon Code.
The Government of Napoleon I
From the Napoleonic Wars of 1803-1805, to the sale of the French state of Louisiana in North America to the United States, Napoleon shaped his charismatic figure. The question arises whether this wonderful emperor of France was in fact a tyrannical or noble leader who changed the world. The answers are hidden in the organization of a system as such, which is based on its constitution and administration.
Universal suffrage based on the Constitution was the invention of Napoleon. The Napoleonic Code changed the way freedom was preserved. Freedom of occupation and religion gave the economy a new way of expressing itself. The Constitution appeared to Napoleon as the natural progress of society, without implementing it brutally. Napoleon emphasized what really happened.
The deeper significance of Napoleon's administrative reforms
The French administration experienced a new world when it turned against the central government. Local officials received their assignments from Paris. It was quite rational, but weakened local decisions. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the most centralized system in France was established.
The tax system took on a new form that was really needed. Peace with the church signified the most important change in which the church restored its political power. A concordat with the Vatican was signed in 1801, which officially marked Catholicism as the religion of France.
The popularity of the Napoleonic Empire made France's cultural credibility. For some reason, Napoleon can be considered a tyranny, but for the most part, freedom was emphasized and greater social recognition.
The beginning of the first French republic
The bad economic policies of King Louise XVI were replaced by the French Revolution and the birth of the First French Republic. The ancient monarchical and feudal systems could not flow as easily and bring the recognition of freedom. People's needed to find their crown and bring new values to life.
Not only did Napoleon express progress toward taxes and the old system, but the whole nation. Universal land gave exquisite rights to all, including the privileged class.
The new assembly also included nobility and middle class. The third estate followed the new administration system and appointed members to the National Assembly. The new National Assembly secured equal rights at the so-called Tennis Court oath.
Declaration of the Rights of Persons and Citizens
The guarantee of equal rights began even before Napoleon's ascension by adopting the Declaration of Human and Citizens' Rights by the Assembly in 1791. The philosophical and political ideas of the Declaration were inspired by Jean-Jack Rousseau.
The old regime was replaced by the new system where the basic rules were focused on equal opportunities, freedom of expression, popular sovereignty and representative government.
Questions that arose meant the struggle with the responsibility of electing delegates, the king's authority, and the relationship with the Church. The constitutional monarchy meant the royal veto power of the king and the central administration.
Traces of Napoleon in Corsica
Corsica has always had an important reputation, as has the legendary Napoleon, who was born exactly on Ajaccio. Although Napoleon left his beautiful island at a young age and almost never returned, Corsica still breathes his influence. Two cities in Corsica have the strongest lines with Napoleon:Ajaccio and Corte.
Ajaccio
The capital of Corsica, Ajaccio, is the birthplace of Napoleon. This elegant city shares the ambiance of soft colors and Napoleon's ancient presence. The narrow streets and beautiful harbor resemble the Cote d'Azur in a more sophisticated way.
The historical sights dedicated to Napoleon are:
- Napoleon's house (Maison Bonaparte), today serves as a museum.
- Napoleon City Hall Museum.
- The statue of Napoleon on Place Foch. Leaving Ajaccio in the northwest is one of the closest country houses to the Bonaparte family. Les Millelli is a stunning villa with adjoining towers and stunning views of Ajaccio Bay. This summer retreat offers relaxing days in the picturesque olive grove. This villa, which served as one of the main income of the Bonaparte family, was a perfect choice among their various properties.
- Château de la Punta. This castle survives after much damage as a legacy to Napoleon's son Charles. Unfortunately, today is closed to visitors due to the severe ruins of the roof. The Capitello Tower. At the magnificent vantage point near the river Prunelli and the bay of Ajaccio lies this magnificent tower.
Cut
This hilly town is dominated by a citadel located in the picturesque views of the three rivers:Tavignano, Restorica and Orta. Corsica is known as the first country with a democratic constitution led by Napoleon's leader, Paquale Paoli. That is why the city of Corte and its buildings are mostly dedicated to Paoli, including:Paoli Square, the university, the National Palace and Corte Castle.
The castle in Corte is currently located on the cliff above the city, and shines in the green area's fairytale world. It consists of the Corsican Museum, dedicated to art and history connected to the main building of the Museum of Anthropology.
Elba Island
This beautiful Italian island is another refuge for Napoleon. In fact, it is the place where he was banished from May 1814 to February 1815. The seven sights of Elba contain the treasure of Napoleon:
- Villa San Martino - once a residence of Napoleon and today serves as a museum;
- Villa dei Mulini- is Napoleon's house in the city of Portoferraio;
- Museum of Mercy - Located in Portoferrao, featuring the sculptures of Napoleon;
- Casetta Drout- is located in Poggio and once served as Napoleon's refuge;
- Napoleon's chair - this is the place where Napoleon admired the view of Corsica;
- Napoleon's source - once known as Acquaviva's source. This landmark near Procchio has many useful features: Paliina Island - Named after Napoleon's sister Paolina, this beautiful beach has stunning views;
Napoleon's fall
The attack on Russia in 1812 was the first sign of Napoleon's fall. 400,000 40,000 men were involved in this battle, but Napoleon returned with only XNUMX XNUMX people six months later. The constant wars showed destructive power created by nothing but wars.
The peninsula war at the same time (1808-1814) resulted in the confrontation between Spain, Portugal and France on the Iberian Peninsula. After losing a significant part of his army another time, the French emperor was exhausted and weakened, but started another battle in Leipzig.
This battle became known as the Battle of Nations, which means the final farewell to Napoleon. Austrian, Prussian, Russian and Swedish forces formed a coalition that defeated Napoleon.
The final decision led Napoleon to abdicate on April 6, 1814, and led him into exile in Elba. The Treaty of Fontainebleau was the official clock at which Napoleon was sent to Elba. It was signed in Paris between Austria, Prussia and Russia.
After a year in exile, Napoleon returned to France, preparing a new army against the Austrians, British, Prussian and Russian. The invasion of Belgium and the defeat of the Prussians at the Battle of Ligny introduced Napoleon's final defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. This meant the final abdication of Napoleon.
France after Napoleon
The bourbon restoration follows the period after the fall of Napoleon. It was the time of the Bourbon monarchs. The next leader of France was King Louis XVIII who established a constitution in which many of the freedoms were further elaborated. It was the Charter of 1814, which explicitly took the guarantee of equality for all French people. The small difference was that voting was reserved for those who were willing to pay at least 300 francs a year as direct tax.
Although Napoleon returned to the throne within a hundred days, he was forced to abdicate again. During Louis XVIII's reign, peace ruled as the main force. This was the time when France experienced a new identity, even though the rulers were the same:the House of the Bourbons.
The deeper effects of Napoleon's influence on Europe
Twenty years of Napoleon's political and military scene brought radical changes, but many lives were lost. Napoleon's civil justice system was the essential force for change and encouragement to open the doors to freedom and equality.
Almost all of Europe fell under Napoleon's throne, where the most important impact of his age is explained in just one word:change. These changes are still visible as the true struggle comes from recognizing the rights of the people.
Defining Napoleon's power on the radar of black and white is not the justifiable reason to characterize him and his tyrannical actions and compare them with other ancient conquerors. The Napoleonic Code expresses the fundamentals of European law today and paved the way for democracy. To exclude the aristocracy of privileges is the constant effort to improve Europe, of a Europe that stands on its own two feet as sustainable. The liberation of the Jews brought a new level of freedom as they were not just stuck in the neighborhoods or ghettos.
Although Napoleon brought wars and tyranny, he carried into the heart of the whole nation the struggle for peace and economic values. These changes had to float on the surface. Though, in the eyes of many, seen as most romantic because of his leadership qualities, Napoleon brought a new way of thinking.