REFORMS OF NAPOLEON BONAPARTE (8)
Introduction: Napoleon Bonaparte took over the rule of France as the first 'Consul' in 1799 A.D, in 1804
A.D declared himself as the 'Emperor of the French' and his reign lasted till 1814 A.D. During his reign
he left his mark as a good administrator, reformer and organizer.
*The purpose of Napoleon's reforms: The purpose of Napoleon's internal reforms were - 1)To develop a
welfare-centred governance in France,2)Development of France's economy, law, justice, education etc.
Reforms of Napoleon:
A)Constitutional Reforms:
1) he divided the whole of France into 83 provinces for the convenience of governance and appointed
prefects as the rulers of each province.2)Provincial and municipal autonomy rights are curtailed.3)By
canceling the practice of appointing employees through elections, he started appointing employees as
per his choice on the basis of merits.
B) Economic reforms:
1) He established the Central Bank or Bank of France in 1800 AD to deal with the financial crisis. 2)To
improve trade, he built new roads, established stock exchanges, renovated ports.3)He introduced new
gold and silver coins to strengthen the French economy. 4)He introduced cost-cutting and audit
practices in government departments.5)Forced everyone to pay income tax.6)He emphasized on
collection of old taxes rather than imposing new taxes.
C)Code Napoleon and Judicial Reform:
The most important of Napoleon's contribution was the 'Code Napoleon'.It has 2287 articles .This code
is divided into three parts-1.Civil Law, 2.Criminal Law, and 3.Commercial Law. It incorporated the great
principles of the French Revolution of 1789 - a)equality before law, b)career open to talent,c) freedom
of thought and religion, d)abolition of serfdom, e)protection of private property, f)secularisation of the
states etc.
D)Educational Reform:
1) Napoleon established a primary school in every commune (municipality). 2) He established 29 lycees
or government residential schools for military training. 3) He established many schools for engineering,
medicine, teacher-training etc. 4)He established the Imperial University of France (Imperial University of
France) in 1808 to educate the French in higher education.
E)Religious Reform:
Napoleon entered into an agreement with the Pope Pius VII in 1801 which is known as the 'Concordat' in
the history of Europe. The terms of the agreement were - 1) All the Bishops would be appointed by the
Pope from a list proposed by the state, 2) All the officials would receive their salary and take an oath of
loyalty to the government 3) The Pope agreed to the decision taken during revolutionary period that the
property of the church which was confiscated during the course of the Revolution would not be given
back. 4)The people of France will gain religious freedom. 5)France will be recognized as a secular state.
F)Other reforms:
1) Napoleon introduced the title of 'Legion of Honor' to honor meritorious persons,
2)He made the Louvre Museum in France the best museum in the world.
Evaluation: As a military conqueror Napoleon showed outstanding achievements and talent, he also set
an impeccable example as a ruler.
