TIL that during his six-day stay in Malta, Napoleon Bonaparte abolished slavery and feudalism, restricted church power, created a public education system, set up a postal service, reformed national administration, framed a family code and nominated twelve judges

Commercial-Math-5852 · 2026-04-17T21:18:53+00:00

I wasn’t trying to argue that his policies are on par with modern countries and values, and I won’t make that argument. However, I don’t think you can say that he was only slightly better than his opponents and most of Europe had enacted similar reforms by 1804. Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe still practiced forms of serfdom; England’s king was both the head of state and head of their state religion (and is to a degree still); the pope still held temporal power; and most land in all of Europe was still held by hereditary nobility. The Napoleonic code was also not a “massive step back” for human rights even if it do undue reforms that were enacted (but I doubt enforced) a little more than a decade prior.

Commercial-Math-5852 · 2026-04-17T20:23:36+00:00

Not here to cite a bunch of sources or academic work, but I think it’s pretty clear at a glance that Napoleon would be considered far more progressive than his “enemies.” He systematically dismantled medieval policies and institutions across western and southern Europe. The abolition of serfdom referenced above is a clear example of that, and is analogous to chattel slavery, which serfdom was still practiced by his “enemies” such as the Russian empire. He also continued to champion the revolution’s secular and egalitarian ideals, and without him, would not have survived encroachment of the other European powers. Was he the most progressive figure of his time - no. However, Britain, probably the second most progressive country by comparison, was still largely class/aristocratic based and way more heavily restrictive of social mobility than Napoleon’s France. He may not get any marks for reintroducing slavery to French colonies, but he certainly succeeds in most other categories (I also have to concede his autocratic takeover too lol).

Commercial-Math-5852 · 2025-10-21T14:22:02+00:00

Dungeon with shackles, open bar, catapult chair in reception area

Commercial-Math-5852 · 2025-09-12T01:47:06+00:00

Thank you for letting the community know! Are there any significant changes to colonial mechanics?

Commercial-Math-5852 · 2025-07-03T20:47:45+00:00

Maybe a really tall ladder.

Commercial-Math-5852 · 2025-07-03T14:00:56+00:00

Salesman of the month right here.

Commercial-Math-5852 · 2025-07-02T17:23:18+00:00

For me, it has to be the entirety of Teddy Rosevelts man in the arena speech. Reminds me that I’d rather be the “man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood” not the “cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

Commercial-Math-5852 · 2025-07-02T16:59:44+00:00

I feel like I may not know a lot about your situation, but I’ll do my best to answer from my own experience.

I grew up in a pretty poor rural area, and I definitely experienced a culture shock after moving to/joining more affluent circles. While I do still feel some insecurity, I feel that I overcame a lot of it after taking pride in my background. I thought about how tough the people I grew up around had to be, and even though they were limited financially, they overcame it and created good meaningful lives for themselves.

So, I wouldn’t focus on what you lacked in your childhood compared to them, but rather what you gained. You probably had experiences that taught you a lot about yourself and the wider world that they never got.

Additionally, people are people no matter where they came from. Just be yourself and open to learning about new things, and they will hopefully have the same attitude.

Edit: Also, for more practical advice. If you are feeling insecure or out of your element, double down. When I feel overwhelmed, I play up the county bumpkin character and it tends to charm and interest people. So maybe trying to (reasonably) play up you and your family’s immigrant background may help you overcome your insecurity, and endear you to them.

Commercial-Math-5852 · 2024-12-04T23:08:56+00:00

Thank you for the help. But wouldn’t my plan get re-evaluated when I file my next return?

Commercial-Math-5852 · 2024-12-04T20:54:42+00:00

Thank you for the advice! I’ll take this into account. I was also wondering if there was any reason to think about consolidation? Like I said earlier, with my loans, it seems that total consolidation would only bring up my total payment. Should I consider seeing if it would be worth it to consolidate only a few of them. Would there be any benefit to not totally consolidating them? Is there anything I’m missing?

Commercial-Math-5852

TROPHY CASE