From Constitutional Reform to the Napoleonic Empire

The Constitutional Monarchy Reform Process

In autumn 1789, the King and nobility accepted the new position, which pacified the country after the National Assembly began the process of reform to turn France into a constitutional and parliamentary monarchy.

In 1791, a constitution was promulgated that exemplified the ideals of political liberalism: national sovereignty, separation of powers, and legal equality of citizens. Although the right to veto was reserved for the crown, it also established indirect suffrage based on a census. This divided citizens into active citizens (those with a certain wealth who had the right to vote) and passive citizens (those who lacked fortune and political rights).

Following the approval of the Constitution, a Legislative Assembly was formed in which new laws were drafted to ensure equality for all citizens, prohibit torture, force the nobility to pay taxes, and abolish the guilds. To defend the revolution against the advocates of absolutism, a new army was created: the National Guard.

Finally, with the target of solving the financial crisis, Church property was expropriated and declared national assets, which were then sold to individuals. In return, the state ensured the maintenance of worship, and a Civil Constitution of the Clergy separated Church and State.

From Consul to Emperor Napoleon

In 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte was appointed consul. His government policy aimed at consolidating the achievements of the bourgeois revolution to avoid the return of absolutism and keep power away from the more radical sectors. Thus, he allowed the return of exiles who accepted the new order and signed a Concordat with the Church to restore religious peace.

He also carried out administrative reforms for centralization. With the creation of prefects, government orders were met in the provinces. The Civil Code was promulgated to streamline and consolidate all previous laws, alongside reforms to the estate and the education system. In 1804, he felt so strong that he was crowned Emperor. His huge military successes and his ability to govern with a firm hand settled him in power without discussion.

The Napoleonic Conquests

One of the reasons for the prestige and power of Napoleon was his ability to defeat the European absolute monarchs who had coalesced against revolutionary France. Napoleon's troops managed to conquer a large part of Europe, and by 1811, the Napoleonic Empire was at its height, spreading from Germany to Spain (except Britain), with much of the rest of Europe under the control of France.

In all countries under French influence or annexation, where Napoleon placed relatives or his army generals on the throne, revolutionary ideas were imposed:

• The suppression of manorial rights, tithes, and the privileges of the nobility.
• The consecration of legal equality.
• The claim of economic freedom, property rights, and religious freedom.