Under Napoleonic Rule

Napoleon Bonaparte was a military and political leader after the French Revolution. Throughout his conquest Napoleon successfully took over most European counties including Spain, Belgium, Holland, Portugal, Italy, and the majority of the Americas. Napoleon commanded a large and powerful army, and while he was feared throughout the world, he was admired as one of the strongest leaders of the time. The actions he took were controversial, and while they were beneficial to some, they ruined the lives of others. People viewed Napoleon in different ways, and questioned his impact on Europe's social, economic, and political systems. 

Throughout his rule Napoleon made changes to societies that he overtook. In France, he abolished the Directory, a government system that gave only five men power over the country. This was a good step at first because the citizens of France no longer had to live under the unfair government, but later on Napoleon became emperor and ruled no better than the Directory. In other countries, Napoleon took power away from rulers and forced them to abide by Napoleon law. Commoners benefited from his rule, but he had a negative impact on the nobility he took power away from. Throughout his rule, Napoleon's political actions had mixed affects on the countries he overtook. But, he had a more positive overall impact on the economic and social systems of Europe.

Napoleon encouraged new industry, the sharing of new ideas and new economic systems, and the building roads and canals. He encouraged economic prosperity, and allowed France to control trade with countries that he overtook. As for the social systems of Europe, Napoleon established a meritocracy where people were rewarded based on their abilities rather than social class. This upset the nobility because they were stripped of their inherited money and power. Madame de Staël, a member of the nobility, believed that Napoleon held "profound contempt for all the intellectual riches of human nature." She did not believe he was doing what was best for the country, which including taking away her power. But, the meritocracy was beneficial to the lower classes because for the first time they had the ability to move up or down the social ladder. People were able to improve their own life, have rights to property, and access to education. 

Although Napoleon was a powerful war leader, and through the eyes of some, a tyrannical ruler, many of his actions positively impacted the social, economic, and political systems of the countries in Europe under his control. According to John C. Ropes, author of The First Napoleon: A Sketch, Political and Military, Napoleon had many great qualities including "his untiring industry, his devotion to the public service, his enlightened views of government and legislation, and his humanity." Although he overtook countries by force, these qualities helped him improve their systems for the better.

Vance, Thomas J. . "The Lost Voices of Napoleonic Historians." The Lost Voices of Napoleonic Historians. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2014. <http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/biographies/c_historians.html>.
"The Years of Exile," by Madame de Staël, trans. Doris Beik (Saturday Review Press 1972)
Picture: Jacques-Louis David, "Napoleon Bonaparte" http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-berkshire-24305144