The Kingdom of Westphalia was a short-lived client state of the First French Empire established in 1807 by Napoleon Bonaparte after his victory in the War of the Fourth Coalition. Here are some key details:
- Formation: Created in 1807 from territories of Prussia, Hesse-Kassel, Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, and parts of Hannover, following the Treaty of Tilsit.
- Capital: Kassel served as the capital of the kingdom.
- Reign: The kingdom was ruled by Jérôme Bonaparte, Napoleon's youngest brother, who was made King of Westphalia.
- Administrative Reforms: The kingdom was known for its progressive reforms:
- Abolition of serfdom and feudal rights.
- Introduction of the Napoleonic Code, which brought about a uniform legal system.
- Reorganization of the administrative structure with the creation of departments and municipalities.
- Establishment of a secular education system, including compulsory education.
- Economy: Efforts were made to modernize the economy, including the introduction of new agricultural techniques and infrastructure development like roads and canals.
- Military: The kingdom was required to supply troops to French Army, and it also had its own military forces.
- End of Kingdom: The Kingdom of Westphalia ceased to exist in 1813 after Napoleon's defeat in the Battle of Leipzig. Following this, the territories were reorganized at the Congress of Vienna in 1815.
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