Napoleon’s Impact on Europe

Napoleon Bonaparte was the ruler of France in the late 1700’s to early 1800’s. Napoleon controlled most of Europe and his decisions impacted it greatly. Although it may seem like just ruling France wouldn’t affect all of Europe, it did. Under Napoleon's rule France became the owner of up to twenty countries and over fifty percent of Europe. As a ruler Napoleon impacted Europe economically, socially, and politically.

As Napoleon came to power the Industrial Revolution was starting to pick up. Economically France and Europe was improving, but it was disorderly. Napoleon established the bank of France and balanced the budget in order to keep improving the economy and allow it to grow. Bonaparte also undertook massive public work programs to help those who were put out of their job from the Industrial Revolution, and also to help the economy continue to flourish. Throughout Europe Napoleon continued to restore economic prosperity. He encouraged new industry, built roads and canals, and controlled prices. Napoleon did anything and everything he could in order to grow Europe economically. He even took artwork and money from places he conquered.

Socially, Napoleon broke boundaries set in place by previous rulers. The Headley brothers wrote about Napoleon saying,“ by opening the field to talent and genius, however low their birth, he was infinitely superior to all the sovereigns who endeavored to crush him.” Napoleon advanced Europe when he made it into a meritocracy where people were rewarded on their talents instead of their social class. Napoleon continued to diminish the chasm between social classes by abolishing nobility titles and serfdom titles. He got rid of church privileges completely and removed trade barriers. Napoleon also made it so more people, not an exclusive class, had rights to property and an education. By allowing the social classes to become less defined, and stimulating industry Napoleon was growing the skills and forces of society under his rule.

Politically Napoleon was intelligent and forceful. The members of the French Directory resigned after finding out Bonaparte was planning to overthrow them. With his new power Napoleon turned France into a meritocracy with himself as a ruler. Workers in the government were very educated and worthy of their position, causing everything to work together more smoothly. With this new government to back him, Napoleon became relentless about expanding and improving France. Madame de Stael described Napoleon politically saying, “His system was to encroach [intrude] daily upon France’s liberty and Europe’s independence...By alternating between cunning and force he has subjected [conquered] Europe.” Napoleon conquered city after city until over fifty percent of Europe was under his rule. Under his rule, all of Europe was affected by his political strategies and had to conform to his government style.

Napoleon might have been hated by many and even exiled from Europe, but he did impact and change much of Europe for the better. Bonaparte improved Europe economically, socially, and politically. Many changes that he made to France and Europe are still existent in some form today.