The Coup d'etat on November 9th was not just another familiarity in the political instability that was France, that the French people had come to live; it was a turning point in the history of Europe as a whole. It brought stability from the fear of the past . The times before the coup were turbulent, full of political factionalism and violence, but now Napoleon took command, and the French people looked upon him for strength. He was a great general, and a strong individual, so would brin

The issue of whether or not France would have been better off if Napoleon had never attained political power is a hotly contested one. Napoleon has been given the blame of millions of deaths throughout France and Europe, however, none can deny the great and endearing difference that was made to the society of France and the many nations throughout Europe with his social reforms. Napoleons' genius was not only used on the battlefield, but was also felt throughout the French administrative and judicial systems. The Code Napoleon was so successful; it was even adopted as far away as Japan and in South America . He is historically also seen as a humanist, especially for his tolerance and treatment of the Jews, such as bringing them out of the French Ghetto . Socially, Napoleon's attitude towards nepotism and the old aristocrat nobles was largely quite negative (although he did tend to give his brothers key positions), which was still in the favor of the original proclamation of the revolution . Napoleon even created 60% of his new aristocracy from merit in the civil service. Napoleon did, however, undo some of the good that the initial stages of the French revolution achieved. Such as the equality of women in land ownership and divorce, and the weakening of the power of the father in the family were over turned. Free speech was also targeted, French newspapers were shut down, and all new works had to be screened by the government or the author was to risk exile such as anti-Napoleonic French writer Madame de Stacl.

When Napoleon seized power by way of a coup, the politicians who organized it had hoped that Napoleon would hand power back to the politicians once the necessary changes to the constitution were made. This was not so, as Napoleon had his own ambitions in mind . Napoleon sought to tighten the grip of his government on the French people by heavily regulating the media, and personally appointing favorable allies to certain bureaucratic positions. The number of published newspapers in France fell from 73 to only four, and these were then heavily sprinkled with propaganda messages . Napoleon was attempting to strengthen the nation, as well as his own power upon it.

Napoleon had hoped that the new French empire would last for centuries; however, this was not to be. There are several reasons for the fall of France, and Napoleon with it. The main reason is undoubtedly the survival of Britain. With the British navy ruling the waves, and the British industry the global economy, Britain was always the thorn to Napoleon's success. The failure of the continental system, and the new global markets opening up to Britain, such as South America, meant that the British economy was to survive, and even flourish regardless of Napoleon's attempts to cripple it.

g peace and stability to France, and oust the outside threat of invasion.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Catholic Church, Europe French, Socially Napoleon's, French Republic, Teaching French, France French, Continental System, Austrians Prussians, France Europe, , french empire, french people, russian campaign, catholic church, france europe, conquered lands, code napoleon, political power, strong national sentiment, french system, social reforms,
Approximate Word count = 2211
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)