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Napoleon's greatest and most lasting domestic achievement was his system of laws called the:

A) Napoleonic Code
B) Civil Code
C) Code Napoleon
D) French Civil Law

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Napoleon's most significant domestic achievement was the establishment of the Napoleonic Code, also known as the Civil Code or Code Napoleon, which reformed French civil law by introducing a uniform set of laws in 1804, embodying Enlightenment values but also limiting women's rights. The correct option is B.

Step-by-step explanation:

Napoleon's greatest and most lasting domestic achievement was his system of laws known as the Napoleonic Code, also referred to as the Civil Code or Code Napoleon. This comprehensive legal reform, established in 1804, provided a uniform set of laws for France.

It embodied Enlightenment principles such as the equality of all male citizens before the law, religious freedom, and the abolition of feudal privileges. However, it also codified the less progressive aspect of the era, notably in its treatment of women, who were left with fewer rights and considered legal dependents of their husbands or fathers under its rules.

The Code Napoleon played a critical role in shaping modern French Civil Law, laying the groundwork for a centralized government, property rights, and access to education. It influenced not only France but also other European legal systems as Napoleon's conquests spread its principles across the continent. Despite its limitations, especially in terms of gender equality, the Napoleonic Code remains a foundational element of the legal heritage of many modern nations.

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