Napoleonic Code: Why Was One Of The Most Influential Civil Codes Flawed?

A. Sutherland – AncientPages.com – Napoleonic Code was the French civil code introduced under Napoleon I on 21 March 1804.

It was the first consistent set of laws concerning criminal and commercial law, property, the family, colonial affairs, and individual rights, given by Napoleon to his people living in post-revolutionary France. The Code eliminated feudalism, supported religious tolerance, and introduced other liberal reforms across Europe.

“Napoleon I, crowned by the Allegory of Time, writes the Code Civil” Jean-Baptiste Mauzaisse, 1833.

It is a set of organized laws, which is considered as one of Napoleon’s most important and lasting legacies. To create this progressive legal system, the French military commander and political leader, Napoleon Bonaparte (1769–1821) was inspired by Roman law and principles of the French Revolution.

It has been generally considered a progressive legal system reflecting broad-minded values. The Code required that for laws to be properly applied, secret laws were ended. Ex post facto laws were invalidated and procedures were required to make the application of the laws fair.

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