Was a Napoleon a dictator?

In Consolidating His Power
1. Yes
  1. After hearing of a plot involving Bourbon the duc d'Enghien, Generals Pichegru and Moreau and Chouan leader Cadoudal, Napoleon had them brought to Paris; the duc and Cadoudal were tried and executed, Pichegru 'committed suicide' in his cell and Moreau was banished
  2. Napoleon used 24 December 1800 assassination attempt to deport 129 Jacobin leaders and arrest many more, neutralising the threat from extreme republicans
  3. Prefects were used as Napoleon's 'little emperors' to spy on France and report back to him as well as oversee nearly every civil aspect of life
    1. Those suspected of subversion could be placed under house arrest, tried before special courts, imprisoned or sent to penal colonies
      1. Critics of the regime e.g Madame de Stael and her lover Benjamin Constant were exiled
  4. Propaganda i.e Le Moniteur was widely circulated and the press controlled - "If the press is not controlled, I shall not remain three days in power"
2. No
  1. Rewards such as concessions on religion, amnesty to rebels who laid down their arms and an end to laws attacking emigres kept the public conforming
  2. Napoleon portrayed himself as willing to accept those who would accept his regime, irrespective of their background in his 'Ralliement Policy'
    1. Napoleon allowed mixed political backgrounds into his inner circle of authority e.g ex Ancien regime servant Lebrun
In Ruling The French Empire
1. Yes
  1. Napoleon wanted to establish a dynasty to improve relationships with the Royal Houses of Europe
    1. 1806-1810 Louis Bonaparte is King of Holland until Holland is made apart of Joseph's kingdom
    2. 1808 Joseph Bonaparte is King of Spain
    3. 1808 Elise Bonaparte is Queen of Etruria
    4. 1805 Although Napoleon is King, stepson Eugene de Beauharnais governs Italy
    5. 1808 Marshall Murat, husband of Caroline Bonaparte, is King of Naples
  2. Satellite States provided 1/3 of strength of Grand Armee and had to provide Tribute Monies to the Treasury
    1. Italy's economy collapsed after £1.5 million was taken in tribute monies and 55,000 were forced to fight
    2. Duchy of Warsaw was bankrupted from financial, land and gift commands from France
  3. Satellite States were forced to trade with France at low prices, sell raw materials and buy back the finished product and accept tariffs on French exports
  4. Napoleon stationed over 1 million troops in Allied States to make them responsible for the enormous upkeep of the troops
  5. Allied States such as Denmark, Sweden, Austria and Prussia had to pay subsidies and provide troops for France
  6. Napoleon ignored the wishes of those he ruled in the Nation States and promises of independence encouraged subjects to conjure up massive military effort
    1. Poles in Duchy of Warsaw never experience independence despite their military efforts
2. No
  1. Annexed States were brought under complete French control
    1. They enjoyed civil liberties such as the Napoleonic Code, Imperial University and the Concordat
      1. Areas such as Piedmont resented the conscription and taxation demands
  2. France's territories benefited from feudalism being abolished
  3. More neighbouring states were being absorbed into France, perhaps to create a European superstate
  4. Napoleon claimed he sought to Promote Nation States such as Germany, Italy and Poland

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Was a Napoleon a dictator?

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	Created by Lily Hollowbread almost 11 years ago