Napoleon and the Transformation of Europe

 
In their essentials, these changes relate to the rationalization and centralization of the apparatus of state such as occurred during the Revolutionary period in France. By the same token, the removal of the feudal system stands as one of the hallmarks of change, though Grab notes that this was often more in law than real. Likewise, the author sees that the adoption of the Code Napoleon or Civil Code in the various areas served as a measure of Napoleonic impact. Once he has set out the criteria, Grab uses them to analyze the amount of influence Napoleonic domination exerted on the state structures of various European nations. These include Belgium, Switzerland, the German States, Italy, Poland, Spain, Portugal, and the Illyrian Provinces (roughly the modern-day Balkans). Not surprisingly, the depth of impact falls in almost direct proportion to the longevity of French control in the various regions under examination. Thus, Belgium was much more deeply affected than, say, Portugal. Interestingly, there seems to be little connection between the level of support Napoleon enjoyed in an area and the impact of his policies. Poland, for example, an area that supported the emperor even to the bitter end at Waterloo, showed little permanent change due to his policies, although the author does credit him with awakening Polish nationalism.