The Empire
Napoleon did not believe that the middle-class National Guard would be able to maintain order and suppress riots. Therefore he created a Municipal Guard of Paris, which was strongly militarized. However, he did not abolish the National Guard, but was content to disarm it. He kept it in reserve and he mobilized it for the defense of French territory in 1809 and 1814. Twenty thousand national guardsmen took part in the Battle of Paris in 1814.
Read more about this topic: National Guard (France)
Famous quotes containing the word empire:
“It has never occurred to me to wish for empire or royalty, nor for the eminence of those high and commanding fortunes. My aim lies not in that direction; I love myself too well.”
—Michel de Montaigne (1533–1592)
“I do not believe I am exaggerating in affirming that the empire of Russia is a country whose inhabitants are the most miserable on earth, because they suffer at one and the same time the evils of barbarism and of civilization.”
—Marquis De Custine (1790–1857)