French Empire

(Today: France, Belgium, Netherlands, Central Italy, Slovenia, Western Croatia, Catalonia)

Restricting the king's authority at the beginning of the French Revolution (1789) would soon lead to the proclamation of the republic (1792), the public execution of the king, and the coming to power of the Jacobins, owing to the kings' opposition, insufficient concessions and anti-revolutionary wars by monarchist coalitions against France. Due to general suspicion, they led a great terror in which the middle class supported them. For most, the choice was simple: either the terror or the downfall of the revolution and the dissolution of national territory because of the threat from the outside. At the same time, the Revolution wanted a fundamental change in the world of the time, so a new calendar of time was introduced as well as a Cult of Reason with certain Christian characteristics (supreme being, martyrs, Satanizing the enemy), which was also a failed attempt to create a unity of religious and enlightenment France and the removal of the Church. However, to return to a more moderate policy, the Jacobin leaders were also executed (1794), and after the reign of the weak Directory, Napoleon came to power with a coup (1799).

With the arrival of the most capable warlord in power, the myth of Napoleon as an ordinary man is created which, thanks to his ability, has become greater than those born to wear the crown. As such he was an inspiration to all ordinary people. France soon received the Civil Code, a concordat was reached with the Church, and the National Bank was established - the most convincing symbol of bourgeois stability, which also supported Napoleon. He also soon takes the title of '' Emperor of France '' (1804), not '' Emperor of France '', indicating that he rules with the approval of the French people and not '' by the grace of God ''. The title of emperor was to create a more solid foundation for the stability of power, which was especially important to both the French government and the National Bank, who feared the possible return of the Bourbons, Jacobins or military dictatorship, which would lose the rule of law introduced by Napoleon. Under it (1799-1815) France went on a major offensive, spreading the idea of ​​the Revolution in the conquered territories, overthrowing old institutions everywhere and introducing different rules.