| dcterms:abstract | - Why did Revolutionary France transit into the empire? Finding the answer to this question, classical view gives attention to Napoleon Bonaparte’s desire for absolute power, and method he used to place himself at the center of administrative power. According to this view, Napoleon had kept aspirations to transcend the revolution and become monarch for a long time, and political discussions during the process of transition were just veils to overglaze such ambition. This kind of view, however, has some flaws, for it beclouds distinctive features that the concept of First French Empire contained, and overlooks active roles of self-motivated political elites during the process of transition. When paying attention to distinctiveness of the concept of French Empire and activeness of political elites, by reviewing the debates at political body from 1800 to 1804, discussions in 1804, and political and social context of France after revolution, one can find following facts: first, the concept of Empire was theoretically elaborate edifice which was the way to conciliate the fruits of revolution and political traditions of France, seeking national stability and republican liberty at the same time. So the majority of political elites understood it as the system rational and worth aiming for. Moreover, the process of revolution and revolutionary wars had rarified despotic character of the word ‘empire’, and political crisis continued from Directory made the Empire the optimum choice for political elites. Therefore, arguing the transition into First French Empire, it should be revised to give excessive weight to Bonaparte’s despotic tendency, political intrigues, and hollow approval of opportunistic claque. The transition should also be argued under the idea of ‘voluntary choice of active political elites’, and their effort to formulate and institutionalize the French Empire. Due to their broad agreement and entire confidence, the transition could be made without any major discord (xsd:string)
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