To what extent were Napoleon’s domestic policies based upon the principles of the French Revolution?

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Napoleon Bonaparte remains one of the most prominent figures in the history of France, and his impacts on the courses of the history of his nation are so evident and outstanding. Ever since he seized power, there have been many debates and discussions as whether he was the “savoir” and the defender of the French Revolution or was he a tyrant who destroyed the ideals of the revolution in search of his own personal ambitious glory. In this respect, Napoleon is considered as a complex and ambiguous character who is portrayed as an heir to the revolution and at the same time its betrayer.
The French Revolution principles focused on three pillars: equality, liberty and fraternity. When the French people revolted against the old system, they yearned for having a completely different political system that looked after the interests and welfare of the French citizens (Ellis, Elisabeth Gaynor). Unlike under the feudal system, people demanded equality on the political, economic, and social levels. The principle of equality guaranteed that French citizens are equal before the law irrespective of their social, religious, or ethnical belonging (Markham, David J). Likewise, liberty was another principle of the Revolution. People than had the freedom to express themselves as they liked and they were free to practice whichever religion they embraced. Lastly, fraternity was the care of the Revolution; In order to insure freedom and equality, there should be some fraternity between all the components of the French society. Thus, leading to the question: to what extent did Napoleon’s domestic policies respond to these principles?
Some historians see that Napoleon respected and preserved some aspects of the revolution. In fact, when he took power ...

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...s. He betrayed the same revolution that made him powerful.

Works Cited

Dean, Peter J. "Napoleon as a Military Commander: The Limitations of Genius." Napoleon as a Military Commander: The Limitations of Genius. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Nov. 2013.
Esler, Anthony. "Chapter 6, Section 4: The Age of Napoleon." World History: The Modern Era. By Elisabeth Gaynor Ellis. N.p.: Prentice Hall, n.d. 230-38. Print.
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