Napoleon: Champion of Human Rights Article Question

By Dave Ward

Dear Staff:

I read with interest your article “Napoleon: A champion of Human Rights” (no author) in the July 2005 edition of Armchair General. It was my understanding that the only knowledge of the proclamation was the publication of the contents in a Paris newspaper/magazine. Do you know if there is a copy of the proclamation in existence?

Sincerely,

Dave Ward,
Washington, DC

Dave,

To the best of our knowledge, "The Jewish Theological Seminary Library" in New York City has a copy of either the newspaper from Napoleon’s day in which the proclamation was printed or a copy of the proclamation. I do not know which. That is about all the detail I can locate for you.

Also as a side note, as to what Napoleon’s motives for doing so might be…Napoleon said the following in a letter to his physician who asked why he pressed for the emancipation of the Jews.

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"My primary desire was to liberate the Jews and make them full citizens. I wanted to confer upon them aIl the legal rights of equality, liberty and fraternity as was enjoyed by the Catholics and Protestants. It is my wish that the Jews be treated like brothers as if we were aIl part of Judaism. As an added benefit, I thought that this would bring to France many riches because the Jews are numerous and they would come in large numbers to our country where they would enjoy more privileges than in any other nation. Without the events of 1814, most of the Jews of Europe would have come to France where equality, fraternity and liberty awaited them and where they can serve the country like everyone else."

Thanks very much for your question,

Eric Weider
Founder/Publisher
Armchair General Magazine

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