Enlightened Despot – A single, benevolent ruler who promotes progressive changes namely for the rights of man, freedom of speech, overall toleration and other inspiring ideas from the Enlightenment.
Napoleon promoted many lasting policies that often depict him as the greatest of all enlightened despots. He is able to securely hold this title because unlike the Enlightened Despots before and after him, he was able to not only instill progressive policies for the people, but his changes lasted and were not removed as soon as he no longer held power.
I. Enlightened Policies of Napoleon similar to others
a. Embodies the French Nationalism that helped propel them to such a powerful position in Europe
b. Codified the Laws under Civil Code in order to create a society of legally equal individuals.
c. Put family members into positions of power around his own French buffer zone
d. Reduced authority of Catholic Church –limiting its courts, ending tithes confiscating property and religious toleration
e. Abolished manorial system
f. Considered himself “enlightened” and “liberal”
II. How he differed
a. A more in-depth politician than other ED’s because he was able to create reforms while keeping good relations with all the classes of France
b. Because he had such widespread and popular movements, they were able to last long beyond his own personal reign
c. He was steadfast in his lack of compromise for both his own internal reforms and negotiations with other countries to achieve greatest success.
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