In 1798, the French Directory ordered Napoleon Bonaparte to invade Egypt. Napoleon Bonaparte was a French military and political leader. He entered Egypt with the goal of spreading the liberal ideals of the French Revolution. Napoleon very quickly occupied the populated parts of the country. He proclaimed himself the liberator of Egypt and the protector of Islam. Muslim scholar Abd Rahman Al-Jabarti’s chronicle of the French invasion of Egypt provides eyewitness accounts to Napolean’s invasion with an opposing viewpoint to the belief that Napoleon held of himself. Al-Jabarti was critical, judgemental, and did not always agree with Napoleon’s intentions due to the cultural misunderstandings occupying both the French and Egyptians. Initial …show more content…
cultural misunderstandings created a power struggle, ultimately leading to the belittling of the natives and empowerment of the French. From the start, Napoleon was seeking to identify himself in a similar manner to the population in Cairo with the belief that the inhabitants would be less likely to resist. Napoleon sought to affiliate himself with the Egyptians is through emphasis of religion and their similarities in their beliefs. This strategy was written in his proclamation, which read, “In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. There is no god but one God. He has no son, nor has He has an associate in His Dominion” (Al-Jabartī, Napoleon in Egypt, 24). Napoleon’s gap of knowledge in the beliefs of the natives led to a failed attempt to associate similarities with the Egyptian population. n“In mentioning these three sentences there is an indication that the French agree with the three religions, but at the same time do not agree with them, nor agree with any religion” (Al-Jabartī, Napoleon in Egypt, 28). On the contrary, Al-Jabarti believes that the French are Godless and following false ideals. The approach of association based on similarity in religious beliefs was inaccurate and a poor attempt of connection. In order to gain Egyptian trust and likeness, Napoleon compared of the French to the removed Mamluk Beys. Napoleon portrayed the French as defenders of liberty and the Islamic faith while expounding the defeated Mamluks as persecutors of liberty and deviants of faith. Napoleon tried to make his own army seem like the Mamluks conquerors. “I have not come to you except with the purpose of restoring your rights from the hands of the oppressors, and that I more than the Mamluks, serve God and revere his prophet Muhammad and the Glorious Qur’an” (Al-Jabartī, Napoleon in Egypt, 24). Despite Napoleon’s efforts, Al-Jabarti emphasized the inconsistency of the French in both their statements and actions. The French are presented as consistent liars. Al-Jabarti called the Mamluks corrupt and oppressive. In describing the French as contradictory, Al-Jabarti questioned the motives of Napolean’s occupation by making his words seem insincere. After failed connection between the groups, local citizens of the Egyptian society desired to overthrow the French occupiers.
The French imposed various taxes on the Egyptian people, and this served as the height of the discontent that the local citizens had towards the French. The first tax that the French applied was on the title deeds of property. This created a situation in which the people of Cairo had to produce the title deed to their property, pay for a new one if one could not be produced, or risk forfeiting their property. Al-Jabarti describes the unfairness of the French system saying, “If a land owners title-deed was found in the register, confirmation was demanded from him…If it happened the landowner had no certificate, or if he had one and it was not recorded in the register, or recorded and that record was not confirmed, the his holdings would be confiscated by the Diwan of the Republic and became its property” (Al-Jabartī, Napoleon in Egypt, 68). This was seen as evil and malicious. The people in Cairo were outraged and frustrated by these actions. Al-Jabarti was especially critical, stating, “The French established a foundation for malice, a foundation for godlessness, a bulwark of injustice, and a source of all manner of evil innovations…These were sub stipulations formulated in their stupid idiom and crude style, dedicated to one purpose, namely robbing them of their money by devious means and despoiling their real estate, inherited property, and the like” (Al-Jabartī, Napoleon in Egypt, 67). The implementation of property taxes created a great turmoil amongst the people, creating a larger gap between the two cultures. People found the enforcement of the property tax to be unbearable. “When people heard (rumours) of this affair and realized it was true, they raised an uproar since they found it too great of a burden” (Al-Jabartī, Napoleon in Egypt, 83). These taxes would turn the upper classes, including the Ulama, scholars of Muslim
religion and law, against Napoleon and his army despite his best efforts to have persuaded them. The actions of the French towards the Egyptian citizens during Napoleon’s occupation indicate that the French do not occupy a position of equality with the native people. The French are established, being unjust, unfair, and proving that the French inhabit a position of power over the native inhabitants. Immediately after the defeat of Mamluk Beys the French are recorded by Al-Jabarti plundering their houses and properties in the manner of conquerors. “The French started to open the houses of the Amir’s, to enter and to loot them to their hearts’ content, then depart, leaving the doors open” (Al-Jabartī, Napoleon in Egypt, 44). The French would only be able to pillage the houses of the Amir’s’ because they were a conquering force, vanquishing and replacing the Mamluk occupiers both militarily and physically. “On that day the French looted the property of the soldiers of the galleon who had served the Amirs. They also plundered the caravanserai of ‘Ali Bey which was situated on the Bulaq, seizing their wares and those of their partners, on the pretext that they had fought against them on the side of the Mamluks” (Al-Jabartī, Napoleon in Egypt, 70). The French exhibited their triumph over the Mamluks by taking spoils. Because the mutual cultural misunderstandings that took place from the initial invasion did not have the groups united as a whole, the French felt empowered over the natives due to their passion, skill, and zeal. Following the invasion, other instances of looting by the French took place, which indicated the power they had over the current inhabitants of Cairo. “On the fifteenth a group of French soldiers passed by the Gate of Zuwayla at night and broke into some of the shops belonging to sugar makers and they robbed them of their sugar and the loss was theirs.” (Al-Jabartī, Napoleon in Egypt, 105) This indicates that the French had no regard to what they were stealing, or who they were stealing from. Another example of looting shows the lack of concern the French soldiers had for the natives of Cairo. “A number of soldiers climbed and broke into some houses at night, robbing belongings and killing some people in the houses and alleyways for nothing.”(Al-Jabartī, Napoleon in Egypt, 117). This demonstrates that the French have power over the native inhabitants of Cairo, and also shows the lack of respect they held for them. “Other events of the month included the aggressive behavior of the guards and their severe insistence that the lamps in the road be lit. When they passed at night and found a lamp which had gone out because of the wind or because of the oil running due to the thickness of the wick and the like, they would nail up the shop or house where this had happened and would not remove the nails until the owner made an arrangement and paid whatever they felt like demanding. Sometimes they would deliberately smash lamps for this purpose” (Al-Jabartī, Napoleon in Egypt, 117). This illustrates the power that the French had over the Egyptians by demonstrating that the French imposed whatever they willed on the population. The French also felt superior to the Egyptian natives, shown through their lack of concern of murder. The actions of the French towards the Egyptian population from the point of the invasion all throughout their occupation are consistently demeaning and illustrative of a position of power over the Egyptian people. Muslim Scholar Abd Rahman Al-Jabarti’s account of the French invasion and occupation of Egypt exemplifies cultural misunderstandings occupying the French and Egyptians, leading to hostility and struggle for power. They did not share similar religious views, which did not gain Napoleon any respect from the start. After a few failed attempts to connect, there were resentments towards the French, as they started stealing and taxing the occupants without good reason. Although the French were clearly powerful, Al-Jabarti was critical of his words and actions. Because of the differences in culture, there could not be unity among the inhabitants of Egypt and the French occupants.
Napoleon just maintains the goals of the French Revolution since he needed to secure and reinforce his own energy.
The French occupation is a confrontation between exported modernity and an old regime: the French revolutionaries and their dominance over the Ottoman social order that is markedly different in contrast; and, al-Jabarti reports on how it transfers cross-culturally. Levels of contestation, open and/or secretive acceptances give way to losses and gains driven by high emotion – even for this writer. He “describes very carefully every step in the negotiation of the organization of society, from administration to inheritance, from property to charity or from justice to deliberation.”
Enlightened despotism is when there is an absolute ruler, in some cases a tyrant, who follows the principles of the Enlightenment through reforms. Permitting religious toleration, allowing freedom of the press and speech, and expanding education are a few main guidelines to being and enlightened despot. Napoleon I is often referred to as one of the greatest enlightened despots. Although, he did not follow the ideas of the enlightenment entirely, he managed his country in a way that he maintained complete authority as well as many of the gains of the French Revolution. Yes, Napoleon did want to do a few things for himself, but he also ruled for the majority in most cases, promote government-funded education, and supported many other enlightened ideas. But, most importantly, Napoleon did what he thought would make his country stronger.
Napoleon Bonaparte once said, “Nothing has been simpler than my elevation…It is owing to the peculiarities of the time.” Coming to power at a time of instability and disorder in France immediately following the French Revolution, Napoleon quickly established himself as the political leader and military power behind France. Easily and efficiently overthrowing the poorly managed Directory, Napoleon established a three man governing body referred to as the Consulate. Naming himself Consul for Life in 1802, and crowning himself emperor in 1804, Napoleon made it clear that is was a time of dramatic change in France. Although establishing himself as an absolute ruler, Napoleon did it all with the support of the people, through the use of a plebiscite. Obviously a man that held immense power, Napoleon has been credited with many great successes. To the people of France, Napoleon was a savior, a man who could, despite being an autocrat, implement the ideals of the French Revolution. Establishing order, giving the French people a sense of security, and running his government smoothly became Napoleon’s priorities. Through a variety of reforms including, centralizing the government, establishing public education, instituting religious tolerance specifically signing the Concordat of 1801, and stimulating the economy, Napoleon won the support of French people across the classes, including the peasantry who in years previous had suffered greatly under absolute rulers. One of Napoleon’s most lasting reforms was his installment of the Napoleonic Code, a set of laws that reflected the idea of equality so evidently bannered throughout the French Revolution. Napoleon was able to capture the attention of the French people through every facet except absolutism.
Napoleon was a tyrant because he betrayed the French Revolution ideals of freedom, equality, and poverty. He was the closest person ever to uniting Europe, but did not get that done. He had so much power and used it to become a tyrant. Everyone hated him and would make fun of him .Cartoonists mocked him with cartoons, and people would laugh about how he was so short, but with a big hat, and belly. Napoleon made 3 main and big mistakes; the continental system, peninsular war, and invasion of Russia. Napoleon failed almost everything he did, very few were accomplished.
In the early 19th century a man by the name of Napoleon Bonaparte led a Coup D’etat that created a new government in France. This new government started out with a tribunal leadership, which Napoleon was first consul, and later changed to an empire with Napoleon as emperor. Some people believe that he made the revolution better and expanded the revolution but this is not true. The facts, when closely looked at, prove that Napoleon effectively destroyed the revolution by telling the people of his country one thing while he was actually planning on doing something totally different. He deceived people so well that he is still convincing people today that he was a defender of the revolution.
Which he didn’t have much success in because No, after a short victory, the French fleet were defeated in the Battle of the Nile. This led the army stranded. Shortly after Napoleon himself arrived in Egypt, he had to return to France, abandoning his army, to deal with political turmoil. Seeing how napoleon left his army and just left them to sit and die is so wrong as a leader you don’t leave behind the ones who are willing to risk their lives to help you and stand with you because like me I would have left him to die. Than napoleon wanted to start another battle which was called the battle of Battle of Marengo Napoleon barley defeated Austrian forces in northern Italy. His remaining generals finished war against Austria, taking the Austrian Netherlands, northern Italy, and the left bank of the Rhine for France. Shortly napoleon eliminated most church states, free cities and gave their lands to German Princes. Seeing all of this was so upset watching all this going down I was crying because they took the land I have and gave it to the German princes which took me away and took what I wanted most he was so wrong and unfair and very
Kirchberger, Joe H. The French Revolution and Napoleon. New York: Facts on File inc, 1989.
The French “imposed more and higher taxes on Muslims than Europeans” (library of congress). In their country, Muslims had to pay more taxes, and even new taxes than they had before the French invaded their country. The Algerians then had to apply for citizenship into their own country. The application was so difficult that many applicants were unable to complete it, and were denied citizenship. The lifestyles of Algerians were changed so much that the French tried to make the Muslims forget who they were.
When we think of Napoleon, we think of massive military conquest comparable to the Roman Empire. However, there are also the numerous reforms he made to domestic policy during his reign of 1799 to 1815. There are three main viewpoints relating to his domestic policy. The first is by Godechot who believed Napoleon "changed the history of France and the world". He thought that Napoleon's policies truly benefited France. However, a contrary viewpoint is made by Seward who thought Napoleon was a demagogue who had an "obsession with power". A third median of the two extremes was proposed by Soboul. Soboul thought that Napoleon advantaged France in some ways but hindered in others.
The economic situation of Egypt before its colonization was quite good. The working and owning class maintained the industrial aspect while the upper class maintained the government and political prospect. Through the colonization of Egypt, Britain gained control of the Suez Canal, a major part of the world trade routes. With this advantage, Britain decided to heavily tax the ships which passed through. This brought mass amounts of money of which the Egyptians never saw. Instead of going to maintain Egypt or even the Suez Canal itself, the money went straight to the British government as profit. Finally, the news that Britain had colonized Egypt and was using it as a "profitable business" reached the public. Immediately, the Egyptians began to leave the country. The British had to act quickly, for they knew that without the Egyptians to maintain the land and canal, the profit would be lost.
Metz, H. C. (1990). Egypt: A Country Study. (Washington: GPO for the Library of Congress, Ed.) Retrieved from Country Studies: http://countrystudies.us/egypt/15.htm
Napoleon Bonaparte, the son of Carlo and Letizia Bonaparte, was born in Ajaccio, Corsica on August 15, 1768. In 1779, he was sent to a military school in Paris. He was made fun of by the French there, and gave him the dream of power. Napoleon was waiting for the right time to achieve greater power, and that moment came when the French monarchy was overthrown.