What Enlightenment Ideal Did Napoleon Use to Justify?
The Enlightenment, a philosophical movement that emerged in the 18th century, had a profound impact on European politics, society, and culture. Its core ideals, such as reason, liberty, and equality, influenced many leaders in the era, including Napoleon Bonaparte. In his rise to power and consolidation of the French Empire, Napoleon employed one particular Enlightenment ideal to justify his actions and policies. This ideal was the concept of the “divine right of kings,” which he manipulated to assert his authority and legitimize his rule.
In order to understand how Napoleon utilized this Enlightenment ideal, it is essential to delve into the historical context of the time. The French Revolution, which began in 1789, had swept away the absolute monarchy and established a republic. However, the revolution’s radical nature and the subsequent Reign of Terror led to a desire for stability and order among the French populace. This created a fertile ground for a leader like Napoleon, who was seen as a strong and capable ruler capable of restoring order and stability to France.
Napoleon’s justification of his rule through the Enlightenment ideal of the divine right of kings was a clever maneuver that allowed him to present himself as both a revolutionary and a conservative. By claiming that he was chosen by divine providence to lead France, he appealed to the French people’s desire for a strong, centralized government while also acknowledging the revolutionary ideals of the Enlightenment. This dual approach allowed him to consolidate power and maintain his rule for over a decade.
One of the key ways in which Napoleon used the divine right of kings to justify his actions was through his coronation as Emperor of the French in 1804. By having himself crowned by Pope Pius VII, Napoleon portrayed himself as a divinely appointed monarch, thereby linking his rule to the traditional, hierarchical structure of the monarchy. This move also served to unite the various factions within France, as it satisfied both the revolutionary and conservative elements of society.
Furthermore, Napoleon employed the divine right of kings to justify his expansionist policies. He argued that it was his divine duty to extend the borders of France and spread the benefits of the French Revolution to other parts of Europe. By doing so, he not only justified his military conquests but also portrayed himself as a liberator, bringing freedom and enlightenment to the conquered nations.
However, it is important to note that Napoleon’s use of the divine right of kings was not without its limitations. The Enlightenment ideals of reason and liberty remained a potent force throughout his reign, and his autocratic rule eventually led to a backlash against his regime. Moreover, the ideal of the divine right of kings was not universally accepted by the French people, as many were still influenced by the revolutionary ideals of the Enlightenment.
In conclusion, the Enlightenment ideal that Napoleon used to justify his rule was the concept of the divine right of kings. By claiming that he was chosen by divine providence to lead France, Napoleon was able to appeal to the French people’s desire for stability and order while also acknowledging the revolutionary ideals of the Enlightenment. Although his use of this ideal was a successful strategy for a time, it ultimately contributed to the decline of his regime and the restoration of the monarchy in France.
