‘Napoleon was a great administrator.’ Explain the statement in the light to the changes he brought about in France.

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Highlight the contribution of women in the anti-imperial struggle in Vietnam. Did they succeed?

In monarchy of Napoleon in France, he had destroyed the democracy in France, but he had introduced major revolutionary principle in the administrative field. This principle was mainly introduced in order to make the whole system rational and efficient. The Civil Code of 1804 – commonly known as the Napoleonic Code, did away with all rights based on birth, established equality before the law and secured the right to property. This code was exported to regions which were under the control of French.

In the Dutch Republic, in Switzerland, in Italy and Germany, Napoleon introduced major administrative division which abolished feudal system and freed peasants from serfdom and manorial dues. And in Towns guild (a group of trade's people) restriction were removed. Transport and communication system was well improved. Peasants, artisans, workers, and businessman enjoyed the new found freedom.

OR

Women in Vietnam traditionally enjoyed greater equality than in China, particularly among the lower classes, but they had only limited freedom to determine their future and played no role in public life. But when there was the growth of nationalism the status of women was also improved. In 1913, the nationalist Phan Boi Chau wrote a play based on the lives of the Trung sisters who had fought against Chinese domination in 39-43 CE. In this play, he depicted these sisters as patriots fighting to save the Vietnamese nation from the Chinese.

They were portrayed as young, brave and devoted. There were stories were written to show how happy they felt when they joined the army and could carry a rifle. Women were represented not only as warriors, but they were also workers. Whether young or old, women began to be depicted as selflessly working and fighting to save the country. As casualties in the war increased in the 1960s, women were insisted on joining the struggle in larger numbers.

Many women responded and joined the resistance movement. They helped in nursing the wounded, constructing underground rooms and tunnels and fighting the enemy. They were also involved in weapon making, and they built six airstrips, neutralized tens of thousands of bombs, transported tens of thousands of kilograms of cargo, weapons, and food and shot down fifteen planes.