Final answer:
Napoleon believed that his success, both in military conquests and domestic reforms, would lead the people to support him, understanding that tangible results were key to maintaining loyalty despite his autocratic rule. So, the correct answer is option b.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Napoleon said people would be "reconciled to me by the result", he meant that he believed his success would make people support him (option b). Napoleon's philosophy was that his victories and the stability he brought to France after the tumultuous 1790s would cement the people's loyalty to him.
By offering amnesty, reinstating Catholicism without political power, and enacting reforms such as the new Civil Code, Napoleon sought to unify and stabilize France while also appeasing various factions within the nation.
Napoleon understood that his rule depended on his ability to continue expanding his empire and achieving military triumphs, ensuring that the public saw him as a successful leader. He aimed to blend the egalitarian principles that came from the French Revolution with his autocratic form of governance. This unique approach led many to overlook his indulgence for personal power because of the order and national pride he restored to France.
In summary, by achieving tangible results through military conquests and domestic reforms, Napoleon expected the French citizens would be reconciled to his leadership despite any misgivings they might have had about his methods or the broader consequences of his rule.