Final answer:
Option (a), Napoleon differed from previous French governments by centralizing power to a greater extent, instituting the Napoleonic Code, and presenting a mix of both monarchic and revolutionary governing styles.
Step-by-step explanation:
How Napoleon Differs from Previous Governments in France
When comparing Napoleon’s government to previous French governments, several key differences are clear. Napoleon centralized power significantly and removed the layered feudal systems that preceded him. He established the Napoleonic Code, which provided a uniform set of laws promoting principles like separation of church and state, religious freedom, and the abolition of feudal privileges. Although he promoted some notions of equality, women did not gain political rights and men retained power in the household.
Contrary to previous governments, which were either monarchies or republics at various times, Napoleon positioned himself as a sort of hybrid ruler. As such, he declared himself Consul for Life and later Emperor of France, consolidating power reminiscent of monarchical rule but within the framework of a centralized state with certain republican ideals. His rule reflected both revolutionary and autocratic elements, and he used his authority to stabilize the economy, including the creation of the Bank of France.
Napoleon's political practices at times mirrored those of a monarchy, and he managed to reclaim some support from the old nobility. However, he maintained some revolutionary principles by establishing legal equality and a modernized civil code. His governance ensured that France would not revert to an absolute monarchy as it had been before the Revolution, despite his autocratic tendencies and expansive empire-building.