- In document #84, how does Bonaparte defend his actions during the coup of 18 Brumaire?
- According to document #85, what were the key features of the Concordat of 1801? Why do you think Bonaparte reached this agreement with the papacy?
- From the excerpts in document #86, why was the French Civil Code considered detrimental to the rights of women?
- What can you tell about Napoleon's views regarding race and slavery from the excerpts that make up document #87?
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Reading questions, ch. 15
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
In document #84, how does Bonaparte defend his actions during the coup of 18 Brumaire?
ReplyDeleteIn his Proclamation Napoleon mentions that when he returned to France in 1799 he found the government in "...chaos and agreement only on the the one truth that the constitution was half destroyed and incapable of preserving liberty. Men of every party came to me, confided their plans, disclosed their secrets and asked for my support." Here Napoleon is clearly making the point that when he returned that the Directory was falling apart and that the he was seen the one to save the revolution from a corrupt government. When Napoleon attended the newly convened council of 500 at Saint-Cloud, mentions that there were several deputies who were "...bearing daggers and firearms, [and] uttered threats of death all around them." Napoleon then preports how those factional assassins turned on him and attempted to to force the Council's president to declare him an outlaw, at which point Napoleon ordered his army to save the president. In of all of this Napoleon was trying to portray himself as someone who was attempting to save the Republic from the factional disputes that threatened to destroy it, in someways similar to what was done in 1794 against the Terror driven government of Robespierre.
-Jonathan Mcclintock
According to document #85, what were the key features of the Concordat of 1801? Why do you think Bonaparte reached this agreement with the papacy?
ReplyDeleteAmong the most important of the principles outlined in the concordat of 1801 was the creation of the Catholic Church as the religion of "vast majority of the French people", but not the official religion, and indeed in his following proclamation Napoleon mentions how religious freedom would be extended to French Protestants as well as Catholics. Napoleon in the Concordant also kept some control over the church for himself, including the ability to name candidates to church positions, although the Pope was given the right to officially institute them. Here again napoleon seems to be attempting to find a middle way between the religion of the Old Regime and that of the Republic. The document also required the clergy to swear a oath of loyalty before the consul of the republic. Finally it also allowed the clergy to be payed by the government and made the Pope promise that he would not disturb those who had brought property under the Revolution. Some of these principles seem reminiscent of the Civil Constitution of the Clergy, yet other principles did in fact give the Pope limited authority within the French Church, and with that seems to this seems to have accomplished Napoleon's possible aim to restore a relationship with the Catholic Church and yet not to upset those who had benefited from the republic's treatment of the Church.
-Jonathan Mcclintock
From the excerpts in document #86, why was the French Civil Code considered detrimental to the rights of women?
ReplyDeleteNapoleon's civil code seems to have been seen as detrimental to womens rights, because of the way it force women to offer nothing but obedience to their husbands. It also denied women the ability to make pleas in court or to own property without the consent and authority of her husband. On the other hand however while the code does deny women several basic rights and authority, it does guarantee women some power over their own lives. Among these is the power to make their own will, although without the right to own property in their own right this may have been a bit of a minor right perhaps restricted to personal household belongings. However in the end it seems as if the main detriment to womens rights offered by the code was the fact there was little the wife could do without the consent of her husband.
-Jonathan Mcclintock
What can you tell about Napoleon's views regarding race and slavery from the excerpts that make up document #87?
ReplyDeleteThese documents reveal that while Napoleon made the Africans of Saint-Domingue think he supported the rights of Africans to liberty, and promising to free those who had fought for the republic, he does make some statements that seem contrary to this. He states that any of these blacks who do not own property and don't process any skills would be given to property owners who would pay them for work. At the same time Napoleon mentions several times at in colonies where where the slaves had not revolted that they would be subject to the laws in place in 1789 and allowed the slave trade to continue until as he could make an arrangement with the British government to end. All of this tells us that while Napoleon did recognize the freedom of slaves who had fought for the revolution that he still had no problem with keeping slaves form other colonies in slavery. Even those slaves which did free, he still allowed the property owners to control them if the freed slaves could not make a living.
-Jonathan Mcclintock
#85 Bonaparte said the position he has taken was not of his own doing. It was handed him by the the "Council of Ancients" and he took it out of a sense of duty to his country and to his fellow soldiers. It was not a power grab by him but a humble acceptance of a great responsibility.
ReplyDelete#87 It seems that Bonaparte respected the black people who supported and defended the Nation. But he was not morally or otherwise opposed to the slave trade. He gave freedom to those who had already been given freedom or who had served as a soldier. But he said otherwise slavery was to be rigorously enforced.
Jessica Arnold
2. In document #84, how does Bonaparte defend his actions during the coup of 18 Brumaire?
ReplyDeleteHe had to help the people because the constitution was half destroyed and incapable of running the country. He helped the Council of Ancients because he wanted to help his fellow citizens and he was a defender of liberty, equality, and property. He was a soldier of liberty and a devoted citizen of the Republic.
Steph Talarek
Bonaparte defends his actions by explaining that he felt it was his duty to his fellow citizens, soldiers, and the national glory of France. He felt he was a defender of the Republic. He felt he was a soldier of liberty. he explains that he felt that he helped liberal, beneficent, and traditional ideas return to the government.
ReplyDelete-Gina D'Angelo
In document #84, how does Bonaparte defend his actions during the coup of 18 Brumaire?
ReplyDeleteIn document #84, Napoleon makes himself out to be a victim and a hero of the coup of 18 Brumaire. First, he claims to have been sent by men of all parties, and the Council of Ancients to protect the legislative bodies at Saint-Cloud. It was in carrying out his duty as a soldier of liberty, that he entered the council and was confronted by armed assassins. These men were preventing legislation from being passed through intimidation. Napoleon was unarmed, when he was attacked by the supposed assassins, and was only saved by his loyal troops. During his escape, the assassins made hostages of the deputies, and he ordered his men to free them. In the chaos, the assassins managed to escape, but order was restored. The deputies returned, and it was then that they drafted the new laws of the republic. So, Bonaparte's defense was that he was merely carrying out his duty as a soldier of liberty, and that he and the council had no other options during the coup of 18 Brumaire.
~James Scutari
In document #84, how does Bonaparte defend his actions during the coup of 18 Brumaire?
ReplyDeleteBonaparte claims to have not taken part in any sort of conspiracy but chalks it up to the entire Council of Elders using him to protect the nation and its liberty. It was up to him to protect the councils. He goes further by giving a skewed view of how he was received in the council of Five-Hundred; claiming that he came to them unarmed and alone only to have assassination attempts on his life while one soldier nearly got stabbed saving Bonaparte's life. Not only does he claim ignorance of what was happening he also claims to have thrown out the factions within the councils that were causing the ills with in them and in doing so saved the nation and returned it to it's 'Rightful place.'
From the excerpts in document #86, why was the French Civil Code considered detrimental to the rights of women?
Well, I started this by reading the article and going to write my response with certain parts in mind but they got to be too plentiful...
Starting with Book I, civil rights where not granted to women they where granted to male french citizens and although they do declare that a husband must protect and care for his wife, the wife was stripped of nearly all rights including the right to plead on her own behalf without the consent of her husband and/or the court. Although she is given the right to create a will without the consent of her husband which is interesting considering it would be hard for her to own anything to give in a will.
Title IX; Of Paternal Power, as the name suggests is all about the power of the father upon the children; having the power to detain them for up to six months, while the mother is only given any sort of legal parental rights if she is a widow and unmarried.
Title II; Donations and Wills, a woman cannot make a donation without the proper consent of her husband....
The point is made. While women gained a footing with the "Declaration of the Rights of Woman" being published and certain divorce rights before this document, they have all, scratch that, nearly all been stripped. Women were not a man's equal by any stand point before document 85 but they had gained some ground that seems to have been eroded away in the document.
Cathryn Salisbury-Valerien
Elliot Grimm
ReplyDeleteIn document #84, how does Bonaparte defend his actions during the coup of 18 Brumaire?
"On my return to Paris I found all authority in chaos and agreement on on the one trust that the constitution was half destroyed and incapable of preserving liberty" Napoleon stated this opening sentence in his "Proclamation to the French Nation." In his proclamation, he attempts to justify the Coup of 18 Brumaire. It is interesting to note, however, that with his rhetoric is a sense of loyalty to the Revolution and a sense of mistrust to the governemnt, which Napoleon felt was corrupt. Napoleon asserts his mistreatment at the council of 500, in which he was peacefully assuring that liberty was being assured within the Republic. His qualms were shut out and he was forced from the premises. He also asserts that it was his duty to see that the Government was delivering liberty to the people, since so many soldiers had died preserving and protecting it. By proclaiming the corruptness of the government, as well as his faithful obedience to the Revolution, Napoleon justifies the Coup by demonstrating how the existing government was not promising peace and liberty to the people and not serving the purpose of the Revolution. It was a proclamation that made the Coup seem necessary and Napoleon's rise to power legitimate.
Elliot Grimm
Elliot Grimm
ReplyDeleteWhat can you tell about Napoleon's views regarding race and slavery from the excerpts that make up document #87?
By observing the excerpts that make up document #87, it is very evident to notice Napoleons views regarding race and slavery. The evident view that Napoleon held was whatever he felt beneficial to France. In the Third Enclosure, Napoleon states that any blacks that defended France from its enemies are to be considered free. This obviously suggests that Napoleon was impartial to a man's race. However, in the first enclosure, Bonaparte deems that any insubordinate will be stricken from the list of the free and deprived of any advantages that pertain to it. The list Napoleon refers to is the list of black people who enjoyed freedom before 26 Pluviose, Year II, and any black who defended the territory of the Republic. Essentially, Napoleon seems to be following a bureaucratic process in announcing this enclosure. He agrees that any Black man who enjoyed freedom in recent times may be allowed to continued to do so. Furthermore, Napoleon asserts that any black who defended the Republic may be allowed to enjoy freedom as well. But it is significant to note that Napoleon does not display his feelings towards slaves or race, he merely announces conduct from which to handle them. In this regard, one is able to identify Napoleon as a man who views race and slavery as a condition that will either serve or harm the Republic of France. He would not hesitate to deliver a man into slavery, but neither would he halt in declaring a slave free.
Elliot Grimm
Document #84-
ReplyDeleteBonaparte calls his actions the reault of the chaos in Paris. That he, as a man without party, could transcend the party politics that were causing the chaos in Paris. He also invokes the "Ancients" to justify his actions, and in that spirit, he invokes he is defending the virtues of the Revolution. He states he is acting in the interest of ensuring the "independence" of legislative government. Furthermore, he claims this is his duty in light of those who have made efforts for the Republic. Bonaparte also alludes to the fact of the attempt on his life when he attempted to speak beofre the Council of Five Hundred. He used the totality of the aforementioned to justify his actions.
~~~ Albert Bailey
Document #85-
ReplyDeleteThe Concordat is a balance between church and state. It explicitly keeps the two separate and as such, subjugates much of the former authority of the Church of the First Estate to the government of the Republic. It ensures the officals of the Church will take no action to foment rebellion or royalist factions. The authority to appoint bishops lies not in Rome with the Pope, but rests in the authority of the First Consul. Most importantly, it ensures the right of Catholics to have free practice of their faith, a stark reversal from the actions during the Terror. The Concordat also balances the authority of the Church and the state, as it relates to matters of religion and ensures the loyalty of Church officials at the same time allowing their continued loyalty to the Church and Papal authority. Bonaparte did this because, and it is apparent in his Proclamation of April 1802, of the need for religion for his fellow Frenchmen. The need of the dying and the explosion of violence are two of the reasons made the Concordat. The Concordat with the Pope was an attempt to moderate the tensions that resulted from certain periods of the Revolution and give the pope credit for hoping to "reconcile hearts." And while the Concordat was meant as a settlement betweent the Republic and the Church, Bonaparte also ensures the smae for Protestant faiths.
~~~ Albert Bailey
Document #86-
ReplyDeleteThe French Civil Code is a litany of impositions on the rights of women. All of her rights lay in the authority of her husband or in the case of the civil authorities. The civil code as it appears in Mason and Rizzo, explicitely lays out how the rights of women are virtually non-existent. Based on the civil code, a woman has no right to inherit or own property. If she owns a business, in the sense she has a stall at the market or a small shop of sorts, even this is subjected to the authority of her husband. In matters of divorce her rights extend form the authority of her husband or if she is able to secure it, she may receive her own authority from the power of the courts, although, in essence her power is still non-existent since even this comes from the court and not her own prerogative. The limitations on the right of women in the civil code are too numerous to evben begin to mention in this blog, but it is apparent from my reading of the code, that all rights of women exist in the power and authority of her husband or if she is able to secure it, she can recieve it from the civil court.
~~~ Albert Bailey
Document #87-
ReplyDeleteNapoleon's views on race and slavery appear to be based on the staus quo of the time. Based on the content of the Enclosure to Cambaceres, the fate of black slaves and freemen would be based on laws from 1789. For the most part the black population would be treated as it had under the Old Regime. However, colonies that had previously freed slaves were to keep their stauts in this regard, but for the rest of the colonies, the laws of 1789 were to remain in place. The communiques in regards to slave made for the provision to import more, any laws aoutside of the authority of the Consulate were reversed, and the status of the slave from one colony of European origin would remain the same in the French colonies. My interpretation of these documents is Napoleon was most likely wanting to ensure his authoriy and to ensure the colonies would continue to be a source of raw materials which would help the French colonies. In addition, Napoleon may have considered the rights of slaves to be less important in colonies half way around the world.
~~~ Albert Bailey