Ten years of Revolutionary Era were followed by the Napoleonic
age .Therefore, the question is often asked –what is the relation between the
Revolution and Napoleon, if there is one? There can be little doubt that
Napoleon is bound with the Revolution in the close but complex relationship.
The fact is recognized by Napoleon himself.Describing
his relation with the Revolution Napoleon said, “I am the revolution” and “I
destroyed the revolution”. It is also said that Napoleon is the child of the
Revolution. The three statements may appear contradictory, but each one of the contains some grains of truth.
When
it is said that Napoleon was the child of revolution, ti means on the one hand
that Napoleon was the heir of revolution. On the other hand, it means that
revolutionary era produced the opportunities for Napoleon’s rise. The first
Italian campaign (1796-97) placed him in top brackets of army commanders and he
became a national hero over night. IN the words of famous historian C.J.H.Hayes,
the important result of the first Italian campaign was, “the sudden personal
fame of Napoleon Bonaparte. He was the most talked of man in France. People
applauded him. The government feared but flattered him. Schemers and plotters
of every political faith sought his support. Alongside of decreasing respect
for the existing government was increasing trust in Bonaparte.” It is true that
Napoleon could not repeat the success of Italian campaign in the Egyptian
campaign that followed. But the people of France believed that the expedition
had been a complete success at a time
when the government was an utter failure. When Napoleon was away, the enemies
of France had formed a second Coalition
and its armies had defeated the French forces repeatedly in 1799. Hayes writes
“Possibly the military hero of France had himself foreseen the situation and
had intended to exploit it to his own advantage.”In Napoleon’s absence France
was a defeated and disgraced nation. The people were fed up with corrupt and incompetent
Directory. They were convinced that only Napoleon could save the nation.
Therefore when he returned to France in October 1799, “it is small wonder that
his journey from the coast to Paris was a triumphal procession.” The
Revolutionary wars had created a spirit of militarism in France. Napoleon
became an embodiment and heir to this spirit. He became a hero and an idol of
soldiers and it was with their support that he brought about the coup dectat of
18 Burmaire i.e., November 1799. Thus Napoleon’s rise to power was due to the
course which the history of France took during the era of revolution. That is
why even Napoleon in his Memoirs declared himself to be true son and heir of
the Revolution and that he was raised to the power by the revolutionary will of
the people.
On
one occasion Napoleon declared that he is the Revolution. In his memoirs he
presented himself as the true son and heir of the revolution. This claim of
Napoleon contains some grain to truth, He was the revolution because he
preserved and consolidated a part of revolutionary work in France. Secondly as
Hayes writes, “The Napoleonic empire was shortlived. But it had tremendous
importance in spreading throughout Europe, directly or indirectly, certain
noble principles which it inherited from the French Revolution.”
The
Fundamental principles bequeathed by the Revolution were Liberty, Equality and
Fraternity. Napoleon was the son of Revolution because his work and reforms
preserved the principles of Equality and Fraternity in France.
Napoleon
preserved the principle of Equality in his reforms of legal system. He
introduced a uniform civil code which treated every citizen as equal before
law. Some critics say that by creating Legion of Honor. Napoleon violated the
principle of equality, but they forget that Legion was not based on birth. It
was open to all citizens of France and thus it also was based on equality.
Napoleon
was the revolution in the sense that he spread and popularized the
revolutionary principle in Europe. In Italy, Germany, Spain etc. Napoleon
struck at the old regime and feudal system. He introduced democratic system in
these countries. The people of these countries became acquainted with ideals of
Liberty and Equality. The principle o Fraternity found expression in the spirit
of Nationalism which grew to oppose the French imperialism.
Thus,
one can say that Napoleon was the Revolution because he preserve, to some
extant , the gains of revolution in France and popularized the revolutionary
principles throughout Europe.
Napoleon
was also right when he declared that he destroyed the revolution. He deprived
the French people of the most cherished principle of Liberty , The revolution
had brought to an end the feudal dynastic rule of Bourbons and replaced it by
republican form of government based on people’s sovereignty. Napoleon
reintroduced dynastic and personal rule. The French republic was replaced by
Napoleonic empire . The administrative
principles and structure introduced by the revolution were demolished. The
concept of decentralization and institutions based on it made way for the most
efficient system of centralized system of governance. The autonomy and
self-government of local units of administration was thoroughly undermined. The
freedom of expression and speech was curtailed and restrictions were imposed on
press. Even education was brought under complete control of the state. Even the
religion was brought under state control, though citizens were free to have
religion of their choice. Napoleon made a very apt comment when he said, “I am
the Revolution” and “I destroyed the Revolution.”
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