Bonaparte betrayed the revolution. Do you agree with this statement? Justify your answer. Napoleon Bonapartes attitude towards the French Revolution is one that has often raised questions. That the revolution had an influence on Bonapartes regime cannot be denied but to what extent? When one looks at France after Napoleons reign it is clear that he had brought much longed for order and stability. He had also established institutions that embodied the main principles of the revolution. However, it is also evident that many of his policies directly contradict those same principles. Was Napoleon betraying the same revolution that gave him power, or was he merely a pragmatist, who recognised that to consolidate the achievements of the revolution he needed to sacrifice some of those principles?Firstly, in order to determine whether Bonaparte betrayed the revolution it is necessary to define what one means by the revolution. Clearly there never was just one French Revolution, but rather a series of revolutions. These occurred while the French struggled to create a new political and social system one that would follow principles radically different to that of the ancien regime. There were five regimes to French Revolution between 1787 and 1800. However, despite this fragmented revolution the same fundamental principles guided most of the revolutionaries involved. These principles included equality under law, centralisation of government, elimination of feudal rights, religious freedom and careers open to talent, not birth. In short, the three key principles were liberty, equality and fraternity. It is generally thought that Napoleon was a supporter of these principles. Historian Georges Lefebvre wrote that Bonaparte was . a pupil of the philosophies, he detested feudalism, civil inequality and religious intolerance. In order to determine the validity of such a statement, one needs to examine institutions founded by Napoleon and conclude ...
