The Age of Napoleon Podcast Episode 107: The Will of the Emperor
Nov 1, 2023
Explore how Napoleon effectively exercised his will over half a continent and the structure of the French government under his rule. Learn about the Council of State, the creation of the departmental system, and Napoleon's work ethic. Discover the overlooked figure of Jean-Jacques-Rigid de Cambassarez and the perverse incentive for Napoleon to continue fighting.
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Napoleon's Rule
- Napoleon consolidated power by leveraging art, official policies, and patronage.
- This allowed him to assert his will over a vast territory.
Structure of Napoleonic Government
- Napoleonic France was a constitutional monarchy with a tiered system of male suffrage.
- However, the legislature held little real power, reflecting a view that a strong executive was necessary after the Revolution's instability.
View on Legislature
- Napoleon's regime viewed a powerful legislature as a source of tyranny, not a safeguard against it.
- They believed strong central authority was necessary after the Revolution.