Which of Napoleon's reforms had the longest-lasting influence on law in Europe and beyond?
AThe Continental System
BThe Civil Code (Napoleonic Code) of 1804
CThe Confederation of the Rhine
DThe Concordat's restoration of church lands
The Civil Code set out equality of men before the law, protection of property and secular civil law. It shaped legal systems in much of Europe and Latin America. It also gave husbands and fathers strong authority over women and children.
Question 2 True / False
Napoleon restored slavery in French colonies after the Revolution had abolished it.
TTrue
FFalse
Answer: True
The National Convention abolished slavery in 1794. Napoleon's government restored it in 1802 and sent an army to Saint-Domingue, where resistance led to Haitian independence in 1804.
Question 3 Short Answer
Explain one way Napoleon's conquests helped cause nationalism in Europe.
Think about your answer, then reveal below.
Model answer: Occupation by French armies, heavy taxes and conscription made people in places such as Spain and the German states define themselves against France. Napoleon also merged many small German and Italian states into larger units, which made the idea of a united nation easier to imagine.
Nationalism grew both from the revolutionary idea of the sovereign nation, which the French spread, and from resistance to French rule.
Question 4 Multiple Choice
Why did Napoleon create the Continental System in 1806?
ATo unite European currencies
BTo weaken Britain by banning trade between Britain and the European continent
CTo build a railway network across Europe
DTo end the war with Russia
After the British navy won at Trafalgar in 1805, Napoleon could not invade Britain. He tried instead to ruin its economy by closing continental ports to British goods. Russia's break with the system was one reason for the invasion of 1812.