Concise Summary of Napoleon and Post-Napoleonic Europe

Napoleonic Code and Civil Laws

  • Established by Napoleon around 1804, remains influential today.
  • Key principles include:
    • Equality of all men before the law.
    • Freedom of religion, including tolerance for different Catholic sects.
    • Promotion of meritocracy, opening careers to all talents.
    • Significant restrictions on women's rights: women could not own property or their earnings.
    • Limitations on freedom of press and workers' associations (trade unions).

Napoleonic Military Campaigns and Downfall

  • Napoleon's ambition drove him to conquer Britain and Russia simultaneously, leading to military failures.
  • Peninsular War (1808-1814): Costly conflict against Britain, resulting in French defeat in 1813.
  • Invasion of Russia (1812):
    • Napoleon led an army of 600,000 into Russia, faced strategic retreat by Russians.
    • Arrived at a burnt and empty Moscow in September 1812.
    • Harsh winter and Russian forces decimate returning troops, resulting in only 40,000 surviving to Paris.
  • Abdication: In April 1814, after defeats, Napoleon abdicated; Louis XVIII restored the monarchy.

Restoration and Congress of Vienna

  • Post-Napoleon, Europe aimed to restore stability with the Congress of Vienna (1814-1815).
  • Key players included Austria, Russia, Prussia, and Britain's Prince Metternich.
  • Initial treaty agreements:
    • Louis XVIII restored to the French throne.
    • France ceded colonies to Britain, accepted reduced borders, and initially without reparations.
  • After Napoleon's return, further punitive measures were imposed, including reparations and occupation.

Conservative Reaction and Shift in Europe

  • Conservatism emerged as a reactionary ideology post-Napoleon, advocating:
    • Restoration of monarchies and noble privileges.
    • Opposition to revolutionary ideals and democratic movements.
    • Emphasis on a strong centralized church in political affairs.
  • Notable figures include:
    • Prince Klemens von Metternich: Advocate for autocratic governance to maintain stability.
    • Edmund Burke: Argued for control of politics by economic factors and historical perspective for future stability.

Rebellions Following the Congress of Vienna

  • Rebellions erupted in Spain, Portugal, and other regions inspired by revolutionary ideals and the longing for parliamentary governance.
  • King Ferdinand of Spain faced uprisings, ultimately reinstated by foreign powers (Prussia, Russia, Austria).
  • The conservative tide led to a return to absolutism in various European regions by 1825, but revolutionary ideas persisted within the populace.