99,000 Essays & Term Papers: Where You Buy Essays and Papers Online
Direct Essays, Where You Can Buy Essays and Papers Online

Instant Access to Buy Essays and Papers Online!
Acceptable Use Policy
Customer Service
Site Search


Login to View Essays and Papers Online

Join Now - Instant Access to Essays and Research Papers!

  Essay and Research Paper Topics
Acceptance Essays
Arts Essays
Custom Essays
English Literature Essays
Foreign
History Essays
Miscellaneous Research Papers and Essays
Movie Essays and Papers
Music Term Papers
Novels
People and Biography Research Papers
Politics Research Papers
Religion Research Papers
Science Essay Topics
Sports Research Papers
Technology Research Papers
 
  FAQ
Technical Support
Site Map
Direct Essays
 

 



Welcome to Direct Essays

This is a short summary of this paper!

Already a member? Go here to log in and view the entire paper!


Join Now!
by: Credit Card
Join Now!
by: Online Check
Join Now!
by: Phone 1-900
Special! View this paper for FREE!
  

Napolean

In the eighteenth century, there was considerable diversity and disagreement among those known as "philosophers," in particular such individuals as Voltiare, Montesquieu, Rousseau, and the Encyclopedists, especially Diderot, and those who stood in the "enlightened" tradition of the period, such as Hume, Lessing, Kant, and the economic theorists such as the physiocrats and Adam Smith. What they shared, however, was a critical attitude toward traditional religion and an agreement about the unenlightened character of the ancient regimes of Europe, with the corresponding need for reform of the state so that it could become an agency for progress. Finally, they had a profound confidence in natural law as something that could be understood and applied through science and reason, (Allen, 132-134; Doyle 49-55).

One particular aspect of the Enlightenment was that of enlightened despotism. Among the many examples of "enlightened" rulers of Europe, the best include Joseph II of Austria, Frederick II of Prussia, and Catherine II of Russia; rulers that would utilize their power to impose the rational reforms and ideals of the enlightenment. And the philosophers, of course, considered themselves to be the proper people to advise these enli


ghtened leaders. Ironically, no French ruler was ever regarded by the French philosophers as "enlightened". Traits generally shared by the enlightened despots included an authoritarian rule justified by usefulness to society, a secular outlook complemented by religious toleration, and impatience with custom and tradition, (Doyle 49-55). Whether the enlightened despots actually fulfilled the ideals in which they said they believed - and of which the philosophers believed them capable - is an issue that brings up much ambiguity and controversy, and allows for the redefining of Napoleon Bonaparte as among these enlightened despots of Europe and the 18th and 19th century.

Balanced against these considerations, each of which is and has been susceptible to various interpretations throughout the years that are different from what is suggested by both Palmer and Colton, there are those elements of Napoleon's career and personality that could be used to refute the idea of Napoleon as an enlightened despot. The supposed megalomania, the family ambition, the selfish and narrow policies that he pursued in some of his economic, diplomatic, and certainly military activities all point to the conclusion that Napoleon's "...aims had always been profoundly selfish: Power and glory for himself and his family," (as stated in The Western Heritage by Donald Kagan, Steven Ozment, and Frank M. Turner).

What the French Revolution essentially did was to dissolve the old social order completely. Everyone was a citizen and the "Rights of Man" were proclaimed based upon the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity. This indiscriminate sweeping away of past occurrences, however idealistic, also had the effect of removing important sources of constraint upon potential new rulers. Further, those in power governed according to abstract principles and merely interpreted laws by their own reasoning ability without the accumulated wisdom of the past or tradition to guide them. What resulted was that for the sake of the Rights of Man, the rights of individuals could be trampled on. Thus, inherent in the people's plan were flaws. The result of which was the Reign of Terror, complete political chaos, social anarchy, mob rule, and, finally, the supposed restoration of order through Napoleon in 1799, (Marshal, 18).

Napoleon was exiled to the island of St. H

Some common words found in the essay are:
French Revolution, Napoleon Napoleon, Code Napoleon, Consulate Napoleon's, Ironically French, Adam Smith, Palmer Colton, Gallican Church, France Napoleon, Reign Terror, french revolution, enlightened despots, enlightenment ideals, liberty equality fraternity, fulfillment enlightenment, codified laws, code napoleon, napoleon codified, napoleon instituted, doyle 49-55, fulfillment enlightenment ideals, napoleon codified laws, enlightenment philosophers,
Approximate Word count = 1589
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)


  

More Essays on Napolean

Napolean812 words
Napolean Bonaparte1845 words
Napolean Bonaparte517 words
Napoleanamp39s Conflict With Russia1192 words
Animal Farm: NapoleanStalin1260 words

Look at even more essays on Napolean
More People Essays

Professional Papers:
Campaigns of Napolean ampamp of Hitler General Winter and Colon4066 words
Execution of the Emperor Maximilian3193 words
Special! View this paper for FREE!
Click here to JoinNow!
by: Credit Card
Click here to Join Now!
by: Online Check
Click here to Join Now!
by: Phone 1-900

 

All papers and essays are for research and reference purposes only!
Copyright 2002-2009 Direct Essays , LLC. All Rights Reserved. DMCA
Webmasters make $$$$
Saved Papers