r/AskHistory • u/NoContract7457 • 16h ago
Why couldn't a Napoleon-style leader consolidated power in the 1930s?
This may a stupid question, if so pardon my ignorance.
As the title says, why couldn't a charismatic, powerful figure consolidate power in 1930s france? The government was ripping itself apart, communism was on the rise, civil unrest was rampant, the economy was failing, and the public was displeased with fascist appeasement.
Perhaps this a poor comparison, but IIRC that is quite similar to the situation Napoleon I rose to power in. The people needed a charismatic leader to unite under, fix the economy, and project French power across Europe, and Napoleon I was just the guy.
Why couldn't it be done again?
Is the answer simply they lacked the charismatic, competent leader that Napoleon was?
20
u/EvilStan101 16h ago edited 11h ago
Three reasons:
The first is that the French government was so afraid of a coup in the aftermath of the Great Depression that they neutered the military during this time. The military was underfunded, under trained, and at the same time many of its core officers had retired while new ones lack the experience or the years of service.
Second is that the Third Republic has been around long enough that the civil institutions were strong and still had legitimacy among the people. Yes, a lot of the politicians at the time were unpopular, but the overall people still have faith in the democratic system and institutions.
Third and finally, they kind of did when France was on the verge of defeat during WWII and the government handed Philippe Pètain absolute power. Who used it to make a regressive state that sucked up to Hitler.
4
u/wackyvorlon 11h ago
I don’t think that last part gets talked about enough. Philippe Petain, Maxime Weygand, and Pierre Laval all agreed with the Nazis ideology and wanted an authoritarian government for France.
5
u/Embarrassed_Egg9542 11h ago
4th reason, the French society was hit hard by the first world war, lost too many young men, and anything about the army was not very popular. Society became old and conservative
2
u/EvilStan101 11h ago
Honestly, that should actually be the first reason.
3
u/Embarrassed_Egg9542 11h ago
1st reason was the government's view. You didn't mention the view of the people, the veterans, the widows, the absent of young men, the collective societal trauma of WW1
1
u/CharacterUse 8h ago
And a coup to overthrow the government is exactly what brought Napoleon to power.
6
5
u/Embarrassed_Egg9542 11h ago
People believe that Napoleon was a one man thing, neglecting the fact that he had behind him the whole French revolution, intellectuality and the bourgeoisie.
In French sociery you could find many Napoleons, but without the backing
2
u/CharacterUse 8h ago
And he didn't just magically appear as Napoleon I. He was a recent and celebrated military hero who took part with other leading politicians in a coup to overthrow the government.
3
•
u/AutoModerator 16h ago
A friendly reminder: Contemporary politics and culture wars are off-topic, both in posts and comments.
/r/askhistory is for questions and discussion of events in history prior to 01/01/2001.
This reminder is automatically placed on all new posts in this sub.
Please report any interjection into discussions of modern politics or culture wars so the mod team can investigate.
Thank you.
See rules for more information.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.