What were some achievements of Napoleon Bonaparte?

Answer 1

Napoleon's achievements were extraordinary and significant. His policies had a huge impact on the history of Europe in the early 1800's. Some of his major achievements can be summarized as follows:

A. As an emperor, Napoleon exercised the powers of an absolute monarch. This entailed the following:

1. He made the laws of France;

2. He made decisions regarding war & peace;

3. He censored free speech, a negative aspect of total power;

4. He created a "secret police" force & imprisoned people he deemed as enemies, another negative aspect of total power;

5. He provided efficient government and made reforms that in its totality helped France. Done at a cost however;

The impact of Napoleon on France, Europe & history cannot be overstated.

The impact of Napoleon deserves more details, such as:

A. Napoleon subordinated local governments to his national authority;

B. He maintained control of France by appointing his own local governors, mayors, judges, & heads of police;

C. This enabled him strengthen his control of France; and

D. To this day, France retains a highly centralized government.

Further on the impact of Napoleon:

1. He advanced the public education in France;

2. He organized a state controlled system of education under the University of France;

3. This "university" was a governmental system of education, not an institute of higher learning; and

3a. The system controlled all levels of education from primary schools to universities;

3b. He built new schools;

3c. He improved educational standards & made them uniform throughout France;and

3d. He had courses prepared which centered on his own accomplishments and stimulated French nationalism.