Reflection on Napoleon

   
          NAPOLEON




    In the 17& 1800's Napoleon was a a very influential figure. Social economic and political systems were all influenced by Napoleon. Napoleon had a positive I'm pact on the Economic system of Europe. He restored economic prosperity throughout the world. He established the Bank of France, which balanced the budget and built infrastructure. The main way that Napoleon restored economic prosperity was by controlling prices and encouraging trade throughout France. He also built road and canals which made trade more accessible.

    Napoleon also made a positive impact on the social system. Everyone was treated as an equal during Napoleons reighn. He abolished serfdom and the power of the nobility. Although Napoleon was widley respected he still had his critiques. One of his critiques was Madame de Stael, having tight connections to King Louis  XVI's rule she did not approve of the way Napoleon ran France. Her disapproval can be seen when she says, "I do not believe that when Bonaparte became head of government he had yet formulated the plan for a universal monarchy." Madame de Stael was amoung a group of a people who were against Napoleon. However, the majority of France supported him.

      Europe's political system was positively affected by Napoleon. Meritocracy was established in France during his reighn. This ensured that people were treated based off their skills rather than their social classes. As a result the Nobility were not the only ones with control in France. This also helped the entire poor class of France. Napoleon took over many nations. Almost all of which he made a positive impact on by reforming there governments. The Institue of Egypt and the expansion of the new world, were results of some of Napoleons invasions. Napoleon positively effected the social, economic and political systems of a France and other areas he conquered.

Luddites

The Luddites were English textle craftsmen, during the 19th century, who protested the new advances in textile machinery.These new spinning Jenny's, poor looms and other machinery a threaten there jobs and pay. The new machines left many without work, therefor deep anger urupted in the craftsmen community. The Luddites believed that the new machinery were unfairly taking jobs away from workers who had apprenticeships and skill. Many consider the Luddites to be a violent group however the most violence they ever caused was towards machinery. Were as England put many Luddites to death. Ned Ludd was believed to be the leader of this group, however no one can actually confirm his existence. The letter that follows is a mock primary source.






Dear Jenn,
How are you? Has word reached your area of the Luddites? As a Skilled Weaver I personally agree with everything the Luddites stand for and consider myself one.The Luddites are a group of anti-machinery protesters, they are against new technological advances. In many ways these new machinarys placed in English mills, have brought great misfortune to my life. It is unfair that a skilled weaver like myself, should have to receive paycuts. I have an apprenticeship, and I can do twice the quality of work then these new employees. In order to state our position, me and my fellow Luddites have gone about destroying machines. We are not a violent organization, yet the Goverment seems to enforce violence among us. In a mill near Manchester, troops killed 3 Luddites and injured 18. I stand for the Luddite cause and I hope you will support me! Workers with little to no experince should not be replacing skilled weavers like myself! Tell you family I say hi! Hopefully we will see eachother soon.

  

Conditions for Workers during the Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution is defined as a rapid major change in an economy, marked by the general introduction of power-driven machinery. Industrialization began in Great Britain, then spread west to The United States. These new technological developments increased productivity and decreased cost. By the mid 18th century Britain had received a population boom, which left many civilians no choice, but to send their children to work in the mills. Due to the increase in population Britain's economy had failed leaving a large amount of their Citizens out of work and starving. Employees were extremely reliant there jobs therefor Factory workers got away with treating them inhumanly. Meanwhile in the US, despite a stable Economy many children were also being sent to the mills. Parents were convinced that the Mills were the best place for the kids. Under the impression that the Mills would give children 3 meals a day, a fair pay, and an education the Factory's had no trouble finding employees. Child workers in America seemed to be treated slightly better than in England.

    At factory Mills children often worked between 10&15 hours at a time. As described in a schedule shown in our DBQ packet, English workers were given 40 mins to eat lunch and the rest of their meals would be consumed during or on their way to work. In Lowell workers were given a decently timed break for each meal. Although Lowell did provide more time for meals than English factory's, the food quality in both places was about the same. Neither factory provided their Employees with healthy or nourishing food.

Another example of the horrible working conditions In England and America, are the dangerous machinery that the children were operating. The Machines were extremely dangerous and the cause of many employee deaths. As described by John Brown in 1823, a ten year old girl was thrown into a machine she was attending immediately killing her and leaving almost every bone in her body broken. Another accident recorded by John Allet remembers a boy who's strap was caught by the machine whine then dragged him and cut his body to bits. Factory accidents occurred in both places.

The Industrial Revolution, lead to 1000s of people in terrible working conditions. The dangerous machines that employees operated, were found in every mill. The outcome of these operations lead to countless deaths in both England and America. However, Employees in the Lowell mills were given a better meal and break time plan than English workers. Due to American families being slightly more persistent in how their children and family members would be treated, Lowell working conditions were better than Britain.