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No one can ever forget what happened in the Battle of Waterloo the death of military genius Napoleon argued to be a great man. And everyone can remember his conquests and rule the Napoleonic Era the time in history when French and European lives altered dramatically. But not everyone can entirely conclude that his rule either changed France and Europe for better or for worse. There are two sides. Some argue that Napoleon changed Europe for better because, first, he believed for the peoples right of equality which later on gave birth to democracy.
By promulgating the Code Napoleon considered to be his greatest legacy peoples equality, contracts and properties were protected and this law also catered the development of capitalism in Europe. Second, he abolished the Holy Roman Empire and limited the temporal power of the church which in the long run benefited Europe. Third, he was credited for breaking the feudal social structures through spreading of liberalizing ideas of French Revolution in the entire Europe.
Fourth, his conquest brought up the spirit of nationalism, love for ones country, in every European. This spirit was translated to many revolutions that modernized Europe. (http://www. pbs. org/empires/napoleon/n_myth/perspective/question3. html, 1995) On the other hand, some say that he altered Europe for worse since his wars against countries that opposed his superiority took millions of lives. He required every citizen to join the military and instilled in them that it was their duty to fight for their country.
Second, he established a tightly controlled society which many believe was the model that Hitler and Stalin followed. As a matter of fact, Napoleonic Era was the model for modern totalitarian state. Third, he added to the resurrection of conservatism, the intensification of nationalism and the birth of romanticism. These phenomena led to the two world wars. (http://www. pbs. org/empires/napoleon/n_myth/perspective/question3. html, 1995)
References
http://www. pbs. org/empires/napoleon/n_myth/perspective/question3. html
By promulgating the Code Napoleon considered to be his greatest legacy peoples equality, contracts and properties were protected and this law also catered the development of capitalism in Europe. Second, he abolished the Holy Roman Empire and limited the temporal power of the church which in the long run benefited Europe. Third, he was credited for breaking the feudal social structures through spreading of liberalizing ideas of French Revolution in the entire Europe.
Fourth, his conquest brought up the spirit of nationalism, love for ones country, in every European. This spirit was translated to many revolutions that modernized Europe. (http://www. pbs. org/empires/napoleon/n_myth/perspective/question3. html, 1995) On the other hand, some say that he altered Europe for worse since his wars against countries that opposed his superiority took millions of lives. He required every citizen to join the military and instilled in them that it was their duty to fight for their country.
Second, he established a tightly controlled society which many believe was the model that Hitler and Stalin followed. As a matter of fact, Napoleonic Era was the model for modern totalitarian state. Third, he added to the resurrection of conservatism, the intensification of nationalism and the birth of romanticism. These phenomena led to the two world wars. (http://www. pbs. org/empires/napoleon/n_myth/perspective/question3. html, 1995)
References
http://www. pbs. org/empires/napoleon/n_myth/perspective/question3. html