More proof that Napoleon was a dictator was the police state he set up. Across France there were Gendarmes and Prefects. The Gendarmes were a paramilitary force set up to gather intelligence for Napoleon about anyone posing a threat to Napoleon’s power, proving Napoleon as a dictator as he removes opposition. These spies under Fouché were becoming increasingly powerful, knowing vast amounts of information on plots, so Napoleon goes over their head to limit their powers and sets up a prefect of Police for Paris, which opens letters, and reports made, which was used to destroy the careers of those who could oppose Napoleon. The Prefect system was also set up in 1800, under the new department system. They were appointed by Napoleon and therefore solely accountable to him. They collected taxes and enforced conscription, as well as the spreading of propaganda. The prefects could also place people under house arrest if they did not warrant imprisonment, most likely a system that was abused to control the opposition. This system was indicative of a dictator state as it controlled the people strictly, allowing there to be no rise in opposition, while also monitoring public opinion carefully, so no opposition could stand against him.
The new constitution seems to disprove that Napoleon was a dictator. For instance the Constitution that he sets up is a form of representative democracy, with many bodies in government such as the Council of State, who help draw up legislation, and the Legislature that get to vote on such legislation, and in secret. However this was not as liberal as it seemed, with the main bodies of government being formed by Napoleon’s yes men, and even if they did not agree with Napoleon he could go over their head on the matter.
The voting system changes also promote the idea of democracy not dictatorship, simply being elections are anti the dictatorship principle. However this was not democratic in the slightest, as it was not universal suffrage being proposed, just for men over 21, who paid for the right to suffrage, therefore not incorporating those who couldn’t afford it and women. Even then it is questionable whether the elections were fair, many people fearing the prefects, as voting was not secret, and even if it was the prefects or ministers would increase their figures to please Napoleon. On top of that the electorate only chose 10% of government, and that 10% chose the next 10% to make up the notables who were then selected to deal with the significant issues in government. Overall the new voting system only appeared democratic, while in reality it was nothing more than an extension of Napoleon’s power, which just provided him with a stronger mandate to rule, thus proving he was a dictator.
Napoleon’s civil code was another reform that gave power to people, rather than centralising power around himself. This was important to France as it united all the different laws they had in different regions into one set of laws, mainly based on Roman law. However again it was illiberal. When we think of a dictatorship, we normally connote the ideas of repression, and this is exactly what is seen. Slavery is reintroduced into French colonies, and men’s power extended over women and children to the point that they could send adulterous wives or defiant children to prison. Also the livret was introduced, a legal document with identification on that was given to employers, thus making it harder to move job, because when you leave the employer would write about you, and this would normally not be a good reference making it harder to get a new job. These reforms were clearly defining people’s rights, however are indicative of a dictatorship as it was largely illiberal.
The Concordat was a religious reform which was largely a tolerant reform when signed; it was changed by the organic articles making it more repressive, and again makes Napoleon a stronger figure. The concordat allowed religious tolerance in France for all religions, and allowed religion to be freely exercised in France, by the great majority of citizens. Nevertheless it strengthened Napoleons powers, as public worship had to be “in conformity with police regulations” and the church became state controlled, whereby the clergy became civil servants, being bound to the government by oath. When the Organic Articles were introduced, it became even more illiberal because clauses limited Papal control over French bishops while state control increased. Napoleon even standardised church catechisms, which were taught in schools, which scares the people into obeying Napoleon as the catechisms make him seem like a God.
In conclusion it was clear that Napoleon was a dictator as he centralised power around himself, especially in his style of government and the constitution he sets up, where all power is given by Napoleon, and no-one could challenge that power. Even the liberal reforms introduced where just a front to appease people, and his real intentions was to make people loyal and obey him, either through fear of the police state set up, or giving menial concessions to the people that were actually illiberal in themselves such as the Concordat.