The Directory and Napoleon's Rise to Power (1795-1799)
Core Concepts
Examines the unstable and corrupt period of the Directory that followed the Reign of Terror, and the political and military circumstances that enabled Napoleon Bonaparte's coup d'état of 18 Brumaire.
The Directory and Napoleon's Rise to Power (1795-1799)
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What form of government was established by the Constitution of the Year III (1795)?
It established the Directory. This government consisted of a five-man executive body (the Directors) and a bicameral legislature (Council of 500 and Council of Ancients) designed to prevent the concentration of power that led to the Terror.
What social group held power during the Directory period?
Power returned to the hands of the wealthy bourgeoisie who had initiated the first phase of the revolution. They favored stability and the protection of property over the radical social equality championed by the Jacobins.
Why was the Directory an unstable and unpopular government?
It was plagued by corruption, political infighting, economic troubles (including rampant inflation), and constant challenges from both royalists on the right and Jacobin remnants on the left. It relied heavily on the army to maintain order.
How did Napoleon Bonaparte first gain national prominence?
In 1795, he decisively suppressed a royalist uprising in Paris with a 'whiff of grapeshot,' saving the National Convention. This made him a hero to the revolutionary government.
What was the significance of Napoleon's Italian Campaign (1796-1797)?
As a young general, Napoleon led a series of brilliant victories against Austria and its allies in Italy. This campaign greatly increased his military prestige, brought wealth to France, and made him a celebrated national figure.
What was the goal of Napoleon's Egyptian Campaign (1798-1799)?
The campaign aimed to disrupt British trade routes to India and establish a French presence in the Middle East. While a military failure (his fleet was destroyed by Nelson at the Battle of the Nile), Napoleon used propaganda to portray it as a success back home.
What was the Coup of 18 Brumaire?
On November 9, 1799 (18 Brumaire in the revolutionary calendar), Napoleon Bonaparte, with the help of co-conspirators like Abbé Sieyès, overthrew the weak and ineffective Directory in a bloodless coup d'état.
What government did Napoleon establish immediately after his coup?
He established the French Consulate, a three-man executive body. As First Consul, Napoleon held the vast majority of power, effectively making him the military dictator of France. This marked the end of the French Revolution.
