The Napoleonic era left a deep impact on the course of world history. His rule, no doubt, caused untold sufferings to the people of Europe on account of his ambitions to make France the greatest power, but it also produced certain positive results.
In the first place, Napoleon greatly popularized the principles of liberty, equality and fraternity let loose by the French revolution in the different countries of Europe.
Secondly, Napoleonic rule greatly contributed to the popularity of democratic system of government. Though Napoleon assumed the title of emperor and wielded unlimited powers, he assumed these powers with the consent of the people.
Subsequently when Napoleon conquered various countries of Europe like Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Spain, the democratic system was also adopted there.
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Thirdly, Napoleon contributed to administrative reforms in European countries. He introduced far-reaching reforms in France to tone up the administration. Some of the reforms introduced by him included recruitment to government posts on the basis of merit; establishment of a common system of law to assure equality to ail French Citizens; religious freedom to all citizens; and improvement in the system of judicial administration etc.
These reforms proved so popular that the successors of Napoleon could not deviate from them. Even the people of other European countries were allured by these reforms and tried to copy his administrative system in their country. Under the impact of Napoleon a number of other European countries, notably Holland.
Belgium, Spain, Federal State of Rhine, the Grand Dutchy of Warsaw, Switzerland, Italy etc. also introduced far-reaching reforms, in most of these countries feudalism and serfdom were completely abolished and the citizens were assured full religious freedom They also greatly borrowed from Napoleon’s legal code. No wonder the reforms introduced by Napoleon in France were gradually introduced in other European countries.
Fourthly, Napoleon greatly contributed to the rise of nationalism in Europe. In his enthusiasm to make France a great nation he brought a number of other European countries like Spain, Germany, Portugal, Prussia etc. under his control.
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The French soldiers by their presence in these countries taught the people that nation was above everything else and no sacrifice was big enough for the cause of the nation. It was this spirit of nationalism which ultimately inspired the people of various European countries to rise against Napoleon and assert their independence.
Finally, Napoleon unconsciously contributed to the unification of Germany and Italy. He contributed to the unification of Germany by amalgamating a number of small German states into a federal unit and providing them an excellent system of administration. Thus he taught The Germans first lessons of unity which ultimately culminated in the unification of Germany in 1870.
Similarly he also promoted spirit of national unity among the Italians by uniting various kingdoms of Italy and creating a Republic of Italy. Foscolo, the Great Italian poet has described Napoleon as the liberator of Italy.
Thus we can say that despite enormous loss of human lives which was caused due to military adventures of Napoicon his rule proved to be a boon for the countries of Europe in so far as he implanted the principles of French Revolution, encouraged the growth of democracy, provided impetus to reforms, promoted nationalism and contributed to the unification of Germany and Italy.