Thank you for that website Ms Sue, it gave me good information which greatly assisted me in answering my question.
However, I have another question that I cannot seem to get an answer to:
How did Napoleon undermine the liberty of the French people?
<<Napoleon also had to shape public opinion -- this was accomplished by crude forms of propaganda, but more importantly by the use of secret agents, arbitrary arrests, and executions. Like all dictators -- we think of Mussolini, Hitler and Stalin -- Napoleon relied on public opinion to prevent hostile criticism. In other words, dissent was nearly impossible. Printers and booksellers swore oaths of allegiance and all newspapers fell under state control. So, by repressing liberty, subverting republicanism and restoring absolutism, Napoleon reversed some of the liberal gains of the Revolution. He favored equality before the law and careers open to talent BUT he believed that political liberty threatened the efficiency of the state with anarchy. He would govern in the interests of the people as an enlightened but absolute ruler. He was Plato's philosopher-king made reality.>>
http://www.historyguide.org/intellect/lecture15a.html
To understand how Napoleon undermined the liberty of the French people, it's important to have a basic understanding of his rise to power and the subsequent changes he implemented in France. While I can provide you with a brief explanation, I recommend conducting further research to gain a comprehensive understanding of this complex topic.
Here are some steps to help you find an answer to your question:
1. Start by researching Napoleon Bonaparte and his role in French history. Understanding his rise to power, his establishment of the First French Empire, and his influence on French society will provide context for his impact on liberty.
2. Look into Napoleon's consolidation of power. After becoming First Consul in 1799, Napoleon gradually centralized power and eliminated political opposition through various means, such as purging the government and implementing restrictive laws.
3. Investigate the Napoleonic Code. One of Napoleon's most significant achievements was the creation of the Napoleonic Code in 1804, also known as the Civil Code. While it provided legal equality and uniformity, it also curtailed certain freedoms, such as freedom of the press and women's rights.
4. Examine Napoleon's military campaigns and foreign policy. As he expanded the French Empire through military conquests, he extended his control over the conquered territories, often suppressing local liberties and imposing his own authoritarian rule.
5. Explore Napoleon's control over the media. Through strict censorship and control over newspapers, Napoleon limited the dissemination of ideas that were critical of his rule, effectively stifling dissent and undermining freedom of expression.
6. Consider the impact of Napoleon's authoritarian rule on political institutions. He centralized power in the executive branch, diminishing the role of the legislative branch and reducing checks and balances, thus undermining the principles of representative government and democracy.
By conducting thorough research on these aspects, you should gain a better understanding of how Napoleon undermined the liberty of the French people. Remember to consult multiple sources to obtain different perspectives and to form a well-rounded conclusion.