16. Establishment of the Consulate Flashcards
Revise
What was the cause of the coup of Brumaire?
Seiyes wanted to change the constitution to allow a strong government to emerge. Was also emboldened by his part in the coup of Prairial.
Who was Seiyes originally planning the coup d’etat with and who did he eventually plan it with?
Was with General Joubert, but after his death, he instead plotted with the popular Napoleon.
How did they prepare for the coup?
Sieyes bribed council members and arranged for Napoleon’s brother (Lucien) to be elected President of the Council of Five Hundred. Also deployed troops around Paris.
What was the plan for the coup?
Persuade Directors to resign. Persuade the two councils to appoint a commission to draw up a new constitution
What happened on the morning of the coup?
Council of Ancients and Five Hundred were both persuaded to leave the centre of Paris due to fear of Jacobin mobs. Met at Saint-Cloud where 6,000 Parisian troops were commanded to surround the palace. Seiyes and two other Directors stepped down while the other two were placed under house arrest.
What happened the day of the coup?
Deputies realised they were trapped and wouldn’t listen to Napoleon. After Napoleon failed to make an impression on the Council of Ancients, he then went to the Council of Five Hundred where he was threatened. Lucien got the palace guards to intervene and the deputies fled. Lucien managed to find some deputies from the Council of Ancients to appoint 3 consuls to run government, Napoleon, Seiyes and Ducos. Napoleon held most authority.
Who decided the Constitution of Year VIIII?
Both Seiyes and Napoleon’s friend Daunou contributed, and Napoleon balanced these ideas to create a constitution to serve him.
What were the major changes made in the new Constitution?
First Consul was granted far greater power and the other two consuls were merely advisory. Introduction of the Senate nominated by the First Consul.
How did it strengthen Napoleon’s position?
While introducing a wider franchise, it diluted the votes through more electoral rounds. Gave scope for the First Consul to intervene at any stage of the process. Could chose Council of State to make any legislation aid his agenda. Could also pass opposition of the legislative assembly.
How was the coup received by the French?
More apathy than enthusiasm in Paris. Still much Jacobin opposition in the provinces and general anxiety for the future of France.
