The Bon Bonaperte

Napoleon Bonaparte ruled a successful government. Though, some may say the way he ruled way not that pretty. Madame de Staël, a member of nobility who was closely connected with King Louis XVI, argues that "[Napoleon's] system [encroached] daily upon France's liberty and England's independence," but Napoleon's accomplishments, still, are undeniable. 

When discussing social issues Napoleon contributed to, he was able to abolish titles of serfdom and nobility across Europe. This gave everybody equal class and no one person was considered higher than another. In this way, Marjorie Johnson's idea that Napoleon was "a great reformer" can be proved correct. Napoleon also ended Chuch privileges, which would make Chuches exempt from taxes or other things of that sort. Napoleon was able to give more people access to an education. With this, people could get educations and were able to communicate with each other in more sophisticated ways. This was a benefit to Napoleon's ruling because it made more people in his empire literate and smarter. 

Napoleon Bonaparte made giant advances in the economic system of Europe, as well. For starters, Napoleon was able to control prices of goods while stimulating and encouraging industry. This helped everybody in Napoleon's empire because everybody knew the price of a good would be consistent, but also industries would be growing and thriving. In addition, Napoleon balanced the budget and also established the Bank of France. This gave the French economy solid footings and one central place for finances. Napoleon removed trade barriers that once stood between countries. Through this demolition, people were able to trade more freely between countries without barriers restricting them. 

Napoleon invades Egypt. 

One major impact Napoleon had on political systems of Europe was the meritocracy he set up. Instead of rewarding citizens with goods or money based on their social class, people were now rewarded based on their skill level. This made for a more fair system. While social class, and how much influence you had in government, used to play major roles in what you were rewarded, politics no longer has an influence on your salary, which is how it should be. Napoleon was able to make property to own more readily available to more citizens. This gave people more places to live and even start a business, and took out the politics of only certain people being able to own property in the European society. While invading Egypt, Napoleon made yet another feat. He was able to reorganize the Egyptian government with also creating the Institute of Egypt. This not only made one central government for Egypt, but also began the study of ancient Egypt, that we still carry on today. 

Napoleon Bonaparte was not only a great ruler of an empire, but also a very good military leader. Marshal Michel Ney, a military leader working with Napoleon, called him "our august emperor." Napoleon was able to accomplish a lot of things in his life, and as Phineas Camp Headley puts it ever so simply, "Napoleon was great." 

Picture Source:
Napoleon invades Egypt:
http://www.ancient-egypt.co.uk/people/pages/description_de_l'egypte.htm