For The Better Of France

Napoleon upheld the french revolution by improving the government, creating nationalist pride, granting equality, and kept the government's power over the catholic church. However, Napoleon also had some actions that undermined the French Revolution ideals; when he declared himself emperor, when he tried to censor and control the newspapers, and when he agreed to declare the majority of France catholic. Overall he improved France by mostly upholding the revolution's ideals.

When Napoleon came to power he wanted everyone to understand and follow the laws; so he simplified the laws and they became known as the Code Napoleon. According to the Code Napoleon feudal rights were ended. Having feudal rights meant that peasants had to pay to live on the land they farmed. By ending these laws, peasants could keep their lands. The Revolutionists fought for this because they were part of the third estate like the peasants and they did not want to pay these large feudal dues either. With the Code Napoleon he upheld the revolution. He also upheld the revolution by having to National Assemblies that created all the laws (packet, pg. 1). The members of these National Assemblies were first elected by the people and then chosen by Napoleon. This proved that anyone could serve in the government and that all men could vote. Before the revolution, only the rich could vote; revolutionists wanted that to change. Napoleon kept that change. The code Napoleon upheld the revolution by ending feudal laws and having two national assemblies.

Napoleon upheld the revolution when he brought fourth this idea of nationalism; the belief that people should take pride in their country, language and culture. Nationalism upheld the revolutions ideals of equality all. He brought fourth Nationalism by improving France’s infrastructure. He improved the road system in Paris along with building new buildings, bridges, and canals. He even had several memorials built in honor of the revolution. Napoleon wanted to beautify France’s capital. He knew if France was beautiful people would take pride in it, and if people took pride in their country, they were more loyal to its government. the people also became more united as citizens . With nationalism, people identified themselves as french citizens instead of their estates or the nobleman they worked under; the idea of equality for all began to form. To further this equality, Napoleon abolished all special rights that nobles, churchmen, and rich people had. Napoleon upheld this idea of equality because its what the revolution fought for. The revolution was so people could have equal rights, and napoleon upheld it by doing just that: providing people with equal rights through the use of nationalism.

Napoleon upheld the revolution when he gained complete power over the catholic church. Napoleon even said himself, “...religion must be in the hands of the government” (packet, pg. 3). The concordat was an agreement he made with the church. It was agreed that he would choose who could be a bishop instead of the church; this was the mark of the government’s power over the catholic church. During the revolution, the catholic church’s land was sold off due to Robespierre’s (A.K.A the voice behind the revolution) De-Christianization. Napoleon upheld the revolution when it was agreed that the church wouldn’t receive its land back. Napoleon upheld the revolution when it was agreed that the government had complete power over the catholic church.

Although mainly upheld the revolution in government, he did undermine it when he declared himself emperor. The revolution fought for a republic instead of a monarchy, and by becoming an emperor that couldn’t be removed from power he undermined it. This decision was similar to that of King Louis XVI. King Louis XVI was a king the revolution brought to an end.