Studied by 41 PeopleContinental System
Tags & Description
Continental System
Goal: Isolate GB and continue Napoleon's mastery over Europe. Comes out of the Berlin Decree of 1806. Doesn't let people trade with or receive trade from Great Britain. Economic warfare: economy goes bad, politics goes bad, then Napoleon can defeat them. Their economy actually grows! It doesn't hurt Great Britain. Result: frustration and illegal trading
Concordat
Doing this is practical, Napoleon saw the church as a stabilizing force. Used to mend the broken relationship between the government and Catholic Church. Church lands seized during Revolution would not be confiscated. Catholicism recognized as the "religion of the majority in France". Did NOT re-establish as the state religion. Grants religious toleration to Jews and Protestants
Directory
Established after the Reign of Terror / National Convention; a five man group as the executive branch of the country; incompetent and corrupt, only lasted for 4 years. Result: Government is bankrupt. Inflation. High unemployment. Fear of potential civil war between monarchists and the radicals. Political corruption
First Consul
Napoleon named this after ousting the Directory; remained this until proclaiming himself emperor; first of three. He has nearly absolute power in the country.
Elba
The tiny island that Napoleon was exiled to the first time. Off the coast of Italy.
"Mirage of Democracy"
At first sight, the voting looks democratic, but when you look closer, it's not. Voting, but only some people can vote. Elections, but elections don't really happen. Republic, but Napoleon is emperor for life.
Principle of Legitimacy
Restoring "legitimate" monarchs: Monarchs that came from the hereditary line, no question about who is the ruler. Creates stability. Louis XVIII in France.
Metternich
Klemens von Metternich. Leads the negotiations, decides course of discussion. Believes in conservatism and the importance of keeping monarchies as the form of government for Europe.
Conservatism
Marked by tradition. Bring back the “old ways,” Ancien Regime in particular to France. Monarchy, organized religion,hates revolutions.
Compensation
Repaying countries for their sacrifices against Napoleon (money, territory, etc.) Ex: Russia having to burn all the things
Berlin Decree
1806-issued by Napoleon, instituted the Continental System, in the response to British blockade of commercial ports under French control.
Napoleonic Code/Civil Code
Previously France did NOT have uniform laws. Napoleon wanted to codify laws in Enlightenment thought. Focus: equality, religious toleration, abolition of feudalism/serfdom. The great push for legal equality: everyone is equal in the eyes of the law. Right to choose your profession. Not everyone was equal before the law!. This does not apply to women and children. Took away rights that women gained from the Revolution. In line with the time period. Laws make it difficult for women to function in society: need permission from their husbands to get a job, and can't testify in court without their husbands with them.
Consulate
Starts as a three-man counsel which includes Sieyes, but Napoleon sort of siphons them out. Can directly control the executive. Can directly control the army. Has great influence over the legislative body. Conducts foreign affairs. Trying to convince people to not do elections
Nationalism
Sense of brotherhood/fraternity/common bond. Identifying with a ruler or religion at the beginning of the century, but now the common identity of the place in which you live. Napoleon sees the strength and allows France to conquer. Creates resentment from the territories he's conquering
St. Helena
area where Napoleon was exiled (the second time), where Napoleon eventually died
Plebiscite
A direct vote in which a country's people have the opportunity to approve or reject a proposal, only adult men could vote during Napoleon's time.
Balance of Power
To keep all countries at relatively the same power status. Preventing one country from becoming too dominant (they become too ambitious and try to take over everybody).
Congress of Vienna
Job: Undo everything Napoleon did. Marked by conservatism. Conservatism: marked by tradition. Bring back the "old ways," Ancien Regime in particular to France. Monarchy, organized religion, hates revolutions. Conservatism = stability. Wanted to create peace without needing to fight. Creates peace at the expense of freedoms. Important diplomats: Metternich: Austria, Castlereagh: Great Britain, Tsar Alexander I: Russia, Frederick William III: Prussia, Tallyrand: France
Liberalism
A belief that government can and should achieve justice and equality of opportunity.
Meritocracy
can achieve a position based on merit as opposed to privilege