The Napoleonic Code and the principles of the Enlightenment share a commitment to rationality, equality before the law, and the protection of individual rights. Both systems emphasize the importance of legal clarity and the notion that laws should be applied uniformly, reflecting Enlightenment ideals of justice and civil liberties. The Napoleonic Code codified these principles, establishing a legal framework that abolished feudal privileges and promoted secular governance, which resonated with Enlightenment thinkers advocating for reason, individual freedom, and the social contract.
After the American and French revolutions, both countries experienced significant shifts in government that reflected Enlightenment ideals but also diverged in important ways. The American Revolution culminated in the Constitution of 1787, which established a federal republic characterized by a system of checks and balances, the separation of powers, and a Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties. This framework sought to limit government power while ensuring representation and accountability. In contrast, the French Revolution led to a more tumultuous government evolution, beginning with the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen in 1789, which emphasized liberty and equality but resulted in periods of extreme instability, including the Reign of Terror and the eventual rise of Napoleon. While the early French republic aimed for a democratic framework, it struggled with the balance between authority and freedom, ultimately resulting in an autocratic regime under Napoleon, who centralized power in a way that starkly contrasted with the American emphasis on decentralization and individual rights.