Social Change under Napoleon

What was Napoleon's conception of meritocracy like?

He wasn't really a fan of true meritocracy, he wanted loyalty to him to be rewarded with titled and mobility

Why did Napoleon want French society to be hierarchical?

He believed in order and feared that too much societal freedom would lead to anarchy (repeat of the Terror)

When did the Concordat come into effect?

15th July 1801-- made public in 1802

Which of Napoleon's societal aims was the Concordat evidence of?

Ralliement-- winning over the religious peasants, avoids future rural unrest also amalgame

How were there territorial benefits to the Concordat?

It helped Rome to accept France's ownership of new strongly Catholic territories in Belgium and Italy

Was the Concordat enlightened?

Yes

How did the Concordat protect the biens nationaux?

The agreement promised that the church would not try to regain its lost land

Which previous revolutionary did the Concordat basically consolidate?

The Civil Constitution of the Clergy

How was the state's control over the church reaffirmed by the Concordat?

It said that clergy was paid by the state and would be appointed by the government

How were archbishops and bishops appointed under the Concordat?

The First Consul would nominate archbishops and bishops and then they would be confirmed by the Pope

Which duties fell under the control of the state as opposed to the church under the Concordat?

Registering births, deaths and marriages-- this is a continuation from the CCC

How did Napoleon rationalise the ecclesiastical system under the Concordat (enlightened)?

10 bishops, 60 bishoprics and 3000 parishes was the new system

What did Napoleon add to the Concordat in April 1802 without the Pope's consent?

The Organic Articles

What was established by Organic Articles?

Religious toleration and protections for Protestants and Jews

Which philosophes supported religious toleration?

Diderot and Voltaire

How did the church spread Napoleonic propaganda?

In 1806 Napoleon amended church catechisms to revere him + A Saint Napoleon day was established

Why did the Pope agree to the Concordat although it really only benefitted Napoleon?

French occupation of Catholic territories and NB increasing global power

significance of concordat

ensured state control over the church

organic articles established no papal legislation could be passed without permission of the first consul

church becomes a vehicle for propaganda

What was the name of Napoleon's newspaper and its function?

'Le Moniteur'-- it was used to keep the public in touch with public affairs

Who enforced propaganda and censorship in the provinces?

The prefects

By the end of the Napoleonic period, how many newspapers were left in Paris?

Only 4 (1801)-- from 73 intially

What was the fine for breaking censorship law under Napoleon?

2000 francs

How did Napoleon create political stability through the press?

The discussion of controversial topics was banned-- prevents rabble rousing and criticism to him

How did Napoleon use architecture to create a cult of personality?

Public buildings, statutes, monuments etc were created in his honour

Which artist was Napoleon's main cultural propagandist?

Jacques-Louis David

Which writers were exiled from Paris by Napoleon?

Benjamin Constant and Madame de Stael

How did the Concordat further recognise Catholicism?

Catholicism was recognised as the 'religion of the majority', Sunday worship was restored, the Pope was recognised as head of the Catholic church

How did the Concordat's aim of reconciliation ultimately fail?

By the end of Napoleon's tenure the relationship with the Pope was irrevocably damaged as he imprisoned him and forced him to accept the Concordat of Fontainebleau + humiliating the Pope at his 1804 coronation by crowning himself

In what year were censors appointed to every newspaper?

1809

What were the positives of Napoleon's social policies towards women?

They could own moveable goods like jewellery, NB adopted Olympe de Gouges' idea of wife-husband social contract, NB introduced divorce by mutual consent (BUT this had too many extra requirements to be impactful)

What was the caveat on women's ownership of moveable goods?

If she chose to sell it, 1/3 of the profits had to be shared with her husband

How were divorce laws under NB unfair?

Adultery meant a different thing for men and for women, it was unfair and divorce was based mainly on adultery

How were women considered property in parental relations under NB?

Women were owned by their fathers until 21 + fathers/husbands could imprison wives for disobedience

Who did a woman's inheritance belong to?

Her father

How many titles were granted between 1808-1814?

35000-- NB obsessed with creating new ranks

How did Napoleon change the nature of the French class system?

He offered some fake meritocracy and increased the social strata of the army through introducing titles and awards

What % of NB's titles went to the military? What % went to members of the Ancien Regime's nobility?

59%: Military

22%: AR Nobility

What did NB offer to higher members of French society?

He offered titles, and senatoreries (estates) and awards for their contributions-- v much ceremonial + NB's appointment of prefects

What was an example of a military general who experienced social mobility under NB?

Augereau came from a humble background, he father was a fruit feller

Which of the titles created by Napoleon was hereditary and therefore anti-meritocratic?

Knight of the Empire

How many of NB's titles and awards had gone to normal civilians by 1814?

1500 (out of 32,000)

How did NB's introduction of class distinctions and titles help French society?

They created a positive societal atmosphere, they increased faith and support for the government, there was a degree of social mobility possible (e.g Augereau)

What was NB's intentions with reforming the educational system?

To make a system which produced loyalists and was geared towards benefitting the notables + achieving amalgame through having a universal and centrally controlled system across France

What were the bourgeoisie/upper echelons of society called under Napoleon?

Notables (lowkey return to AR)

How many scholarships were awarded under NB? What was the societal benefit to this?

6.4k scholarships-- allows social mobility (although most of the scholarships went to notables sons)-- 4k of these scholarships went to the most skilled pupils who worked for it (meritocratic!!!)

What was the curriculum like in NB's schools?

It was modern (secular/scientific)-- social progress + it was more of a moral education (trying to create loyalists)

What were lycees and how many of these were there?

Lycees: Selective elite schools primarily attended by the sons of notables --45 lycees opened up

Were women included in NB's educational reforms?

No, education past primary level was not for them

Did NB allow the existence of church schools?

YES-- this was a popular measure because church schools were generally popular with the public

How did NB use social reforms to create a Bonaparte dynasty?

He offered titles such bishop, titles etc to members of his family + he goes on to offer roles as governor of newly found territories to his family members + he made First Consul hereditary then works on producing an heir