The Napoleon Effect

Napoleon Bonaparte is considered one of the greatest conquers even to this day. After single handedly conquering most of Europe it is a shock that the American school system tend to neglect him year after year. He impacted the influenced how Europe ran its economic, social, and political systems.

Economically, Napoleon was able to improve how wealthy France was as a country. He controlled pricing on items, he built all new roads and canals to increase the value of France. He also encouraged people to make new businesses. New businesses meant that people would be making and spending money on new things which is good for the economy. Then, during the French Revolution Napoleon seized many great artworks and large sums of money from Italy for France. Even though this was a blow to Italy it helped France build up their value. Later, in 1803, Napoleon decided to sell the Louisiana Territory to America. Which was good for France since they made a lot of money and also America since they could expand westward. Napoleon the opened the Bank of France which balanced out the budget on projects and was in charge of public work programs. This ensured that not too much money was being used to allow the country to become bankrupt and allowed for more economic freedom.

Napoleon changed how France and Europe functioned socially as well. Alongside his armies he abolished nobel and serfdom titles freeing people of a life of indenturement. Allowing them to be able to rise up in the workplace since he also encouraged new businesses. This made people have a different attitude on how the way the world ran and gave way into new social statuses. He ended church privileges so then the Pope did not have all the power. Thus stopping them from forcing followers to think certain ways and make them obey rules. Under the effect of Napoleon's ruling common people had rights to own property and education was available to anyone. The more educated the people are the higher they will succeed. They will encounter much more dynamic thoughts questioning why things are ran and thoroughly advancing the way we live day by day.

He effected how the political system ran drastically, accommodating to the people and not the wealthy. He was able to diminish the nobility meaning that kings and queens would not power over the people. Napoleon established what we call an "meritocracy" which means people were rewarded on how well they were able to perform a skill rather than a social class they were born into. Napoleon was also able to get the members of the Directory, who ran France, to back down since there were threats of overthrowing them. Allowing Napoleon complete control of France and its people.

Overall, you can see how Napoleon affected the world heavily. He was able to pick France up and get it on the way to economic success. Without him, we may have never known what it is to live without the rule of nobility. Serfdom may have still been alive and it constitutes under the category of slavery. This is why Napoleon is one of the most important people of Europe. Napoleon was cunning enough to be able to change economic systems, switch social systems, and alter political systems.

Capitalism vs. Socialism

The other day for class we experienced the always thrilling concepts of capitalism and socialism. To accomplish this our teacher passed out starbursts which we used as currency. Some people started out better than others; some got ten while others received three. To fully explore the capitalist view, we played rock paper scissors for starbursts. Some people became immensely successful while others lost all their candy, and had resorted to a life of crime. Stealing starbursts from the government and each other. At the end of the activity, our teacher announced she was collecting all the starbursts back and redistributing them to an even amount amongst us. It was frustrating to most of us because the majority had three or more. The people with none or less than three were ecstatic though, they'd be getting more than they lost.This is to display how socialism works and its attempt at being an utopian society. These are two different approaches at government both having clear faults and advantages to them.

The founder of socialism is Karl Marx, he was a prosperous philosopher and co-wrote The Communist Manifesto. Which laid out the the basis of communism and socialism. It states that the government should not exist; that once wealth was evenly distributed between everyone that the it would be unnecessary. People would come together and protect one another and do favors for one another since everyone had the same amount of money. The theory was that it'd end greediness and crime throughout the countries. Marx created communism because he believed that the already emplaced rules of capitalism worked against the poor and gave the wealthy too much power. This way no one was better than the other and it didn't matter how much you worked you still had the same amount of opportunities. 

Adam Smith wrote the Wealth of Nations way before Marx wrote The Communist Manifesto. His thought process was that if the government didn't restrict peoples businesses that the economy would improve. This is because companies would lower the cost of their product until one business changed their product or went of business. People wouldn't be forced to buy pricey items and thus the economy would improve. There's this idea referred to as the invisible hand which is since businesses would hit a roadblock it'd lead them in the right direction. The invisible hand would be beneficial to the poor due to the reduced prices for competition. Though, it would take a long time for all this to even out to be fully effective. 

The better option seems to be capitalism, in my opinion. Socialism and communism is too utopian society esque to work out. Everyone always says that communism looks better on paper than actually used. If the people of this world were flawless it would work. No government aspect of communism is slightly terrifying, there'd be no order. I feel as though the streets would end up as one big war zone. Capitalism on its own wouldn't work either, finding a middle ground between these ideas is crucial for a balanced government. This is how many countries are run now, although it is not a perfect system, it keeps the economy afloat. 

The What Lights?

When the Industrial Revolution had just begun to take storm allowing products such as textiles to be made with little to no skill, a band of people began to rise up. They were known as the Luddites and they were frustrated by how they had been in apprenticeship for so long just to have their jobs be taken away by people and machines with no skill. They came together and decided to protest against the big factories depriving them of money. They were able to sneak into factories and break the machines to send a message across. To bring awareness to the subject they even crossed dressed to grab people’s attention. Below this paragraph is a mock, primary source, letter meant to display the thoughts of people had about the Luddites. It is written from the perspective of a soldier who is conflicted between up keeping his vow of being a soldier and supporting the Luddite’s cause.

Dear Michael,

I am writing to you today because I have some thoughts that I need to get out my system and I cannot leave them lying around. For the fear that my higher ups will find them and escort me away. You probably have not heard of the new movement going on here since you live across the world but, these people refer to themselves as Luddites. Now, the Luddites consist mostly of people who have dedicated their whole lives to a specific craft. Such as my father who is a cobbler as you already know. They are upset by the fact that they know every single thing about their skill and are now not making any money due to the new mills that mass produce everything. They are losing so much money because although there merchandise is of higher quality, it is also very expensive compared to the mills pricing. So they banded together and started to riot the mills and now it is to the point where they are breaking in, destroying equipment, and setting the buildings ablaze.

I am currently positioned at a mill to guard the machines because it has become such a big problem. It’s so hard too, since I am so conflicted about everything now. The Luddites have a very good reason to protest and riot but, does it have to be at this level? For me, I think it does purely based on the fact that no one would blink an eye at them if they just tried to voice their opinions. You know what they say, actions speak louder than words. Since my father is a cobbler I am leaning more towards the Luddites than opposing them.

 As a soldier though I have given my word that I would protect these mills and do whatever I have been instructed. It’s a tough position to be in; I either continue on serving my country or serve against it. Both scenarios make my stomach flip at the mere thought of acting upon them. Our family here in England has never been rich, nor will we ever be. Because of the Industrialization the poverty is becoming worse. My father is receiving less and less jobs and barely selling any of his works. But, we cannot protest against the mills, since we are so poor and we cannot afford much else.

Also, if I am caught being for the Luddites while serving, what will they make of me? Will I become deported? If so our family is really in for trouble, we will have even less money than before. I really need help on this, what do you think I should do? For now I am going to lay low and follow my duties and be the silent cheerer whenever the Luddites have a successful break. I’m just so confused right now, I really need some advice, please reply as soon as possible.

Best Regards,

Richard Cormack  

P.s. here is a good representation of the severity of joining the Luddites cause