3. The weaknesses of the Directory and the Coup of Brumaire

What was the rise to power of Napoleon a result of?

Both of his own reputation and abilities and the weakness of the Directory.

Explain Jordan’s Law, September 1798:

Conscription was reintroduced to rebuild the size of the army.

This provoked widespread resistance.

Explain the Second Coalition:

Encouraged by British success, the Second Coalition of Britain, Austria, Russia, the Ottoman Empire, Naples and Portugal was formed in 1799. As the revolutionary war continued the French armies were pushed back into France from Germany and Italy. This meant the Directory could not continue to be funded by plunder.

And the threat of invasion made it unpopular. There was increasing disillusion with the Directory and support for a change of government.

What was the group of Prairial, June 1799

With the war going badly and the Directors getting the blame, the influence of the neo-Jacobins in the Councils increased. They forced the removal of two Directors and passed two new laws. The first was a forced loan on the rich.

In 1799 who plotted coup?

In late 1799 Abbé Sieyés, a leading revolutionary figure since 1789 and now a Director.

What did Abbé Sieyés want to do and what did he need

He wanted to restore the power of the executive and cut back the influence of the radicals.

He needed the support of the army and of a general, and his eventual choice was Napoleon

Where did the Sieyés move the Councils out of Paris to and why?

Rot

What happened to Napoleon when he addressed the Councils?

In the Council of Five Hundred Napoleon was attacked by deputies, but his soldiers, alerted by his brother, came to his rescue

How did the Coup play out?

The councils were cleared from their meeting rooms by force and the plotters issued a decree abolishing the Directoryt.

Instead there was to be a government headed by 3 leaders, called consuls

How did Napoleon dominate after the Coup of Brumaire?

He was First Consul for ten years with complete executive power in war and peace.

The other two consuls merely accepted his rule and became simply advisers.

Napoleon was responsible for the new constitution of 1799.

What made the coup difficult to resist?

The use of military force.

What was the issue for opponents of the Coup of Brumaire?

They were unlikely to gain popular support for resistance as Bonaparte was a famous and prestigious figure.

How did the success of the coup outweigh the limitations?

The coup was not well managed in itself, but the combinations of divisions within the Directory, pressing threats and problems and a popular new leader made it a success.

Explain the New Constitution

The male population (c.6,000,000) chose the Communal List (600,000), who chose the Department List (60,000), who chose the National List, the Notables (6,000)

Explain the Notables

This was the key group. They were the highest-taxed men, the richest, in each department.

They were to be replaced every three years.

From their number the Senate, chosen by the executive, chose the members of the legislative bodies, who were to serve for five years

Explain the Tribunate

• 100 members aged over 25

• Discussed legislation drafted by the Senate but not able to vote on it

Explain the Legislature

• 300 members aged over 30

• Voted on legislation in secret but not able to discuss it.

What was the executive made up of?

The First Consul and the Senate and Council of State, all chosen by the First Consul

Explain the First Consul

• Appointed all ministers and initiated all legislation

• Along with the other two consuls, was elected for 10 years.

Explain the Senate

• 60 members aged over 40

• Appointed for life

• Nominated by the First Consul

• Verified legislation

Explain the council of the state

30-40 members chosen by the First COnsul.

Nominated all central and local officials

helped initiate legislation

How was the new constitution put to the people?

In a plebiscite (referendum) which was rigged to give an overwhelming majority in favour

How was the new constitution amended in 1802

To make Napoleon consul for life.