Napoleon - 1800 Plebiscite

On 7th February 1800, French people voted the ratification of the new constitution. Right then and there, the population was given the opportunity to express themselves on the coup that had taken place a few weeks before and which brought a general to power: Napoleon.

The voters approved massively of the thirty year old general receiving most powers to take charge of the destiny of the nation after the French Revolution. The population had grown weary of the reign of terror, mass executions, civil unrest, banditry, political instability and corruption, etc.

Today’s trend of thinking unfortunately leans too often towards Manichaean views of good and evil. What I love about being a history guide, is debunking the myths and show the complexities of historical figures. Napoleon did concentrate most powers, and yet, he used the plebiscite on three occasions during his reign to allow people ratify modifications of the constitution.