Building the Napoleonic State

From 1800 to 1804, Napoleon systematically constructed the institutional framework that would govern France for decades. He established a prefectoral system that placed appointed officials in charge of each department, creating unprecedented central control over local administration. This system, borrowed partly from the old regime but adapted to revolutionary circumstances, proved so effective that it survived Napoleon's fall and remains largely intact today.

The creation of the Council of State demonstrated Napoleon's administrative genius. This body of experts advised on legislation, regulations, and policy implementation. Unlike parliamentary assemblies driven by political considerations, the Council focused on practical effectiveness. Napoleon personally chaired many sessions, displaying remarkable mastery of detail and ability to synthesize complex information. "I can do the work of six men," he boasted, and his incredible energy seemed to prove the claim.

Napoleon's appointment policy reflected his meritocratic ideals tempered by political realism. He promoted based on ability rather than birth, creating a new elite drawn from all social classes. Yet he also reconciled with former enemies when expedient. Returning émigrés who pledged loyalty were welcomed back, while talented administrators from the old regime found new careers in Napoleonic service. This synthesis of revolutionary and traditional elements gave his government broader support than any previous revolutionary administration.