Directory

Question 1

Drawing-up of constitution

Answer 1

Drawn up in August 1795, plebiscite in September and official in November.

Question 2

Constitution

Answer 2

5.5 million males vote for electors. 1 million electors vote for 30,000 potential legislators. Annual elections, 1/3 of deputies step down each year. Council of Five Hundred drew up legislation and Council of Ancients accepted/vetoed legislation. Ancients choose 5 directors based on list of 500. 1 Director retired each year.

Question 3

Mandats

Answer 3

February 1796 - 800 million francs worth issued to replace 24 billion worth of assignats. Withdrawn within a year after counterfeited.

Question 4

1795 fiscal reform

Answer 4

Weights and measures were standardised, replaced old Ancien Regime variations.

Question 5

Vincent Ramel’s tax reforms

Answer 5

1798 - Property taxes introduced. Octrois revived. Bankruptcy of 2/3.

Question 6

Babeuf

Answer 6

Conspiracy of Equals - Planned for May 1796, failed and executed May 1797.

Question 7

Coup of Fructidor

Answer 7

Constitutional monarchists do well in elections in 1797. Hoche and Augereau arrest 177 royalist deputies and 53 exiled to Guiana. Carnot forced to step down as director.

Question 8

Coup of Floreal

Answer 8

Jacobins performed well in 1798 elections, results were altered by Law of 22 Floreal.

Question 9

Coup of Prairial

Answer 9

18 June 1799 - Sieyes used Joubert to force resignations from directors. Sieyes introduced Law of Hostages in July 1799.