Napoleon's reform agenda and efforts to reform the education system, the unlikely peace treaty with Britain, the lack of trust between the nations, French intervention in Europe and British perception, Addington's decision to strike first in the war.
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Quick takeaways
Napoleon implemented education reform and promoted regional diversity to unite France and create a modern society.
Napoleon valued capitalism but distrusted high finance, desiring a strong government to promote economic growth while remaining skeptical of the financial sector.
Deep dives
Napoleon's Domestic Policies and Reforms
During a period of peace, Napoleon focused on domestic policies and reforms to unite France. He implemented a total overhaul of education, including the introduction of public high schools. Napoleon personally handled the appointment of school heads, displaying his meticulous attention to detail. He also embarked on tours of the provinces, promoting a sense of inclusiveness and an image of a hardworking leader. The provinces displayed regional diversity, with the north and west being more industrial and forward-thinking, which aligned with Napoleon's vision for a modern society.
Napoleon's Contradictory Views on Economics
While championing capitalism and recognizing the potential of commerce and manufacturing, Napoleon distrusted high finance and speculation. He saw many financial practices as unpredictable and unstable, even though the concept of modern finance was still in its early stages. Napoleon desired to harness the benefits of early capitalism without relinquishing economic decision-making to the market. He wanted a strong government to promote private enterprise and economic growth, but he remained skeptical of the financial sector and its potential abuses.
Shift in British Public Opinion towards War
Following the Treaty of Amiens, British public opinion initially embraced peace with France. However, reports of French interventions in Switzerland and the Netherlands, along with a growing martial atmosphere in Paris, contributed to a shift in British sentiment. Influential families in the British leadership, such as William Pitt, were eager to terminate the experiment with peace. War preparations commenced, and the public mood turned towards war, leading to the Britain's decision to seize French shipping and the resumption of hostilities between the two powers.
Deterioration of Sister Republics and British Perception of French Influence
The French revolutionary sister republics, such as the Batavian Republic and the Helvetic Republic, faced challenges in establishing stable governments in the absence of a revolutionary base of support. The French interventions in these republics, along with their perceived control over economics and military affairs, raised concerns in British public opinion. British tourists observed the presence of soldiers, martial parades, and restrictions on freedom of speech in France, which further fueled negative perceptions of Napoleonic France in Britain.
With the war over, France was finally becoming prosperous again. Napoleon contemplated what this would mean for his regime as he worked to reform the country. In many ways, the Consulate was a golden age, but war with Britain was already looming on the horizon once again.