Reasons for Establishing the Empire

Context:The Senate declared Napoleon Bonaparte supreme Emperor of France. At his Coronation, the Pope was present, but Napoleon crowned himself as Emperor asserting that the Pope did not have power over him. The piece is an address to the Senate recalling the reasons for establishing an empire in place of a Consulate.

 

Author Bio: Napoléon Bonaparte was a French military and political leader who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and its associated wars. As Napoleon I, he was Emperor of the French from 1804 until 1814, and again in 1815.

Summary: The Document begins by stating how the State of France is strong. He then recalls the state of France prior to his power, in civil war and Anarchy. The Senate was then thanked for its support. He then talked about reform in the Government. He then calls his name the most unquestioned of titles. He concludes by swearing to Senate that if attacked, he will fight back.

Key Quotation: “The oath of Napoleon shall be forever the terror of the enemies of France”

Virtue and Terror

Author Bio: Maximilien Robespierre was a lawyer and politician. He was one of the most known and influential figures of the French Revolution. He was a member of the Estates General, the Constituent Assembly and the Jacobins Club. Robespierre wished a republic would be established, the death penalty and slavery abolished and advocated for universal suffrage and equality. He was known as "the Incorruptible" but also known as a "bloodthirsty dictator" by his enemies and was also a member of the Public Committee for Safety during the Reign of Terror.

Context: This speech was given to the Convention on February 5, 1794. This was during the Reign of Terror that starred the guillotine. During the Terror, anyway suspected of being against the revolutionists were seen as enemies of France were sentenced to death. Robespierre uses this speech as justification for that type of barbarity.

Summary: Robespierre begins his speech by explaining what France and its people are trying to achieve: a prosperous republic of fully equally citizens who can respect their country without knowing horrors like they are experiencing now. He then explains the problems of France, the way everything good is substituted for something corrupt like morality for egoism, the rule of reason for the tyranny of custom and contempt of vice for contempt of misfortune. The people want to stop this terror and these vices and fulfill the duties of nature. He proclaims that only a republican or democratic type of government can achieve these great desires. Robespierre believes that the fundamental principle of a government of these types is virtue. He then goes on to say that in times of revolution, terror is necessary to inflict justice and restore order. He believes that to once again reach a virtuous government one must inflict terror to get rid of those who are disrupting order.

Key Quotation:

"If the strength of popular government in peacetime is virtue, the strength of popular government in revolution is both virtue and terror; terror without virtue is disastrous, virtue without terror is powerless."

"Subdue the enemies of liberty through terror and you will right as founder of the Republic."

The Mortal God

Author: Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) was an english philosopher that made huge jumps in the thinkings about absolutism. He is also noted for ideas of liberal thought and these became the foundation for modern philosophy and political science. Hobbes was not only revolutionary in the thoughts about humanity and government, but he was also a historian, mathematician, theologian and physicist. He is best noted for his book Leviathan which this excerpt comes from.

Speaker: See above.

Context: Leviathan was written during the English Civil War and in response to the conflict the book demonstrates a need for a strong central authority that would hinder evil discord and civil war, leading him to desire a government of an absolutist monarchy.

Summary:  Hobbes opens by commenting on the nature of man; he believes that nature has made man equal and even though they have different talents when they are all together it does not really make a difference and all men have equal ability. He then laments on the three causes of quarrel: competition, insecurity and glory. Without a common power to make all men equal, men live in a time of war consisting of every man against every man. In this state there is no room for progress and the life of man is "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short". He then comes to his conclusion that the only solution to these problems is essentially an absolutist monarch who held sovereignty over his subjects. He also references the social contract theory where man gives up his rights to the government in hopes that the government will protect those rights.

Key Quotation: 

• "I authorize and give up my right of governing myself, to this man, or to this assembly of men, on this condition  that you give up your right To him, and authorize all his actions in like manner. This done, the multitude so united in one person , is called, a commonwealth...This is the generation of the great Leviathan, or rather, to speak more reverently  of that mortal god, to which we own under the immortal God, our peace and defense."
• "And...this person, is called sovereign, and said to have sovereign power; and everyone besides, his subject."

The Spirit of the Laws by Baron de Montesquieu

Author: The author of The Spirit of the Laws is Baron de Montesquieu. Montesquieu is known for questioning contemporary society as well as his beliefs in the separation of powers (Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches). He believed in shared power in the government in order to prevent tyrannical rulers. He best known work is The Spirit of the Laws, which was written in 1748.

Speaker: See Above

Date/ Context: In 1748, Louis XIV reign was coming to an end. He had built the palace Versailles to distract the nobles from the corruption of his reign. One noble however, Montesquieu, was not fooled by the palace. Montesquieu often wrote about the corruption and tyranny of Louis XIV’s rule. This primary document, The Spirit of the Laws, is his most well known work on the separation of powers and the downfalls of an absolutist ruler. This primary document was so controversial it was banned by the pope.

Summary: This primary document begins by explaining that if the legislative branch, who makes the laws, and the executive branch, who enforce the laws, are controlled by the same person liberty for the people can not be achieved. In addition, Montesquieu states that if all three branches of government, the executive, legislative, and judicial branch are ruled by the same person liberty can not be achieved. The document then goes on to state that in France, there is no liberty because France is ruled by an absolute ruler, which Montesquieu refers to as despotic. Overall, Montesquieu is trying to express that liberty and the rights of citizens can only be preserved through democracy and separated powers and not through an absolute ruler.

Key Quotes:

“When the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person, or in the same body of magistrates, there can be no liberty…”

“Again there is no liberty if the power of judging be not separated from the legislative and executive powers.”

"The Fall of the Bastille"

Author: Although there is no technical author of this document assumptions can still be made. The footnotes tell us that the document is made from an accumulation of eyewitness accounts from contemporaries of the revolution. From this, we can infer that the authors were mostly nobles, since the lower classes were mostly illiterate. In addition, many of the information provided is from the point of view of the people behind the gates of the Bastille, which supports the fact that it is a noble supporting Louis XVI. It is possible that the account is from a soldier, however mostly were slaughtered in the initial storming.

Data/Context: The Bastille was a prison for political opposers of the Old Regime. Therefore, it served as a symbol for the monarchical despotism of France. However, the Bastille was raided by a mob of nearly 200,000 people in an effort to show Louis XVI their strength. Once inside, the mob freed the remaining prisoners and grabbed all firearms within the grounds. Then, the officers and military inside were slaughtered unless they defected from the regime and joined the people. The event, which happened on July 14, 1789, is considered to be the catalyst for the French Revolution as a whole.

Summary: The people of France were upon the Bastille. The soldiers inside could either commit a murder-suicide with explosives, or allow the people to enter. Upon being promised a safe imprisonment, they opened the gates and let down the bridge. However, the enraged people murdered and humiliated the soldiers despite the efforts of those who promised them safety. Afterwards, the Marquis de Liancourt informed the King of the Bastille's whereabouts, where the recognition of the revolution began.

Key Quote: "'It is then a revolt.' 'No sire,' replied the duke. 'It is a revolution.'"

politics and scripture

author bio:Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet was a French bishop and theologian, renowned for his sermons and other addresses. He has been considered by many to be one of the most brilliant orators of all time and a masterly French stylist.

Date/Context: (1679)- Monarchical government is the best form.

summary: is a work of political theory prepared by Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet as part of his duties as tutor for Louis XIV's heir apparent, Louis, le Grand Dauphin. It is one of the purest expressions of the branch ofpolitical absolutism which historians have labeled "Divine Right Absolute Monarchy."

Key Quote: Kings Should respect their powers and only employ them for the general good.

A Citizen devoted to the republic

Author Bio: Napoléon Bonaparte was a French military and political leader who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and its associated wars. As Napoleon I, he was Emperor of the French from 1804 until 1814, and again in 1815.

Date/Context: (November 10,1799) I found division among all authorities , and agreement upon one point, namely, the constitution was half destroyed..

Summary: This is basically a lot of napoleon gloating and describing what he has accomplished.

Key quote: All parties came to me, confined to me their designs, disclose their secrets and request my support