Based on the description of feudalism given in the lesson, analyze how Napoleon’s new ruling class resembled feudalistic relationships of Louis XVI’s time.
Napoleon created the Council of the Ancients and the Council of 500, with himself at the top as consul.
Napoleon implemented a system in which he granted titles and land to people who would support him financially.
Napoleon divided people between the Legion of Honor and taxpayers, similar to the Estates-General.
Napoleon brought back the old ruling class that Louis XVI had used.
Napoleon's new ruling class resembles feudalistic relationships from Louis XVI's time in several ways.
First, like Louis XVI, Napoleon implemented a hierarchical system of governance with himself at the top. This is demonstrated by the establishment of the Council of the Ancients and the Council of 500, with Napoleon serving as consul. This top-down structure closely mirrors the feudal hierarchy, where the king was the highest authority and held ultimate power.
Second, Napoleon followed a similar practice as Louis XVI by granting titles and land to individuals who supported him financially. This is reminiscent of the feudal practice where land and titles were often given by the king to loyal vassals in exchange for their military service or financial support. Both Louis XVI and Napoleon used this system to secure their supporters' loyalty and maintain their authority.
Additionally, Napoleon's division of people between the Legion of Honor and taxpayers, resembling the Estates-General, also reflects the feudalistic tendencies of Louis XVI's time. The Estates-General was divided into three estates - the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners - with each estate having different rights and privileges. Similarly, Napoleon's division between the Legion of Honor and taxpayers creates a distinction between different classes of people and emphasizes certain privileges and honors.
Finally, Napoleon's decision to bring back the old ruling class that Louis XVI had employed further demonstrates the similarities between their ruling styles. By reinstating the nobility and aristocracy, Napoleon relied on a traditional feudalistic social structure with the monarch at the apex and the nobles holding influential positions of power beneath him.
In summary, Napoleon's new ruling class resembled feudalistic relationships of Louis XVI's time through the establishment of a hierarchical system, the granting of titles and land to loyal supporters, the division of people into different classes, and the reinstatement of the old ruling class. These similarities highlight the enduring influence of feudalistic traditions in Napoleonic rule.