With reference to Napoleon's contribution, write about the following:

(a) The reforms initiated by Napoleon.

(b) The Continental system.

(c) Impact of Napoleonic Wars.

(d) Concordat.

(a) Napoleon initiated the following reforms :

1. Economic Reforms — He undertook numerous financial measures to check rising inflation in the country. He opened the Bank of France to establish government control over the economy and system of issuing currency and granting loans to public was developed.
2. Concordat — He established friendly relations with the Church and resolved the dispute that had arisen due to the confiscation of the Church lands in 1789 by settling a religious compromise with the Pope in 1802, known as Concordat.
3. Educational Reforms — Napoleon reorganised the educational system and established the first Public School system in Europe.
4. Code of Laws — Codification of civil laws was Napoleon's most significant reform. He prepared a Code of Laws called, Napoleon's Code of Laws. It abolished all privileges, established social equality and introduced trial by jury.

(b) The Continental System — Finding it difficult to defeat England in straight fight, especially to suppress the supremacy of Britain in navy, Napoleon devised the means of economic warfare. This policy came to be known as the Continental System. He resorted to this system to impose economic blockade against England and prevent import of English goods by other countries of Europe. However, the Continental System system failed and England continued to retain its influence over international trade and sea routes.

(c) Impact of Napoleonic Wars can be summarised as follows:

1. Austria was defeated and was made to sign a pact (Treaty of Luneville) in 1801.
2. Treaty of Amiens was signed with England and peace was established.
3. French Empire controlled the Swiss Confederation, the Confederation of Rhine, the Duchy of Warsaw and the Kingdom of Italy.
4. Napoleon brought about a number of countries like Spain, Portugal, Prussia and Germany under his control. The French soldiers placed in these countries taught nationalism to the native people. This spirit of nationalism motivated the people to rise against Napoleon and assert their independence.
5. Napoleon brought most of the Western Europe under one rule. He sowed the seeds of founding of the Nation-States of Germany and Italy by starting the process of consolidating City-States and Kingdoms.

(d) Concordat — Napoleon established friendly relations with the Church and resolved the dispute that had arisen due to the confiscation of the Church lands in 1789 by settling a religious compromise with Pope in 1802, known as Concordat. According to the Concordat, Catholicism was accepted as the State religion.