Directory Flashcards
Why did Babeuf dislike the directory?
Disliked the constitution as it gave power to the wealthy
He believed revolution should secure happiness for everyone
What did Babeuf plan?
From March he organised a plan to overthrow the directory by coup but he needed dedicated revoutionaries to carry it out
Through propaganda and force they would seize power and a dictatorship would be established but he received no support and was arrested May 1796 after being betrayed and executed year later
What did the elections of 1797 show?
Growing shift towards monarchists
Why did people shift towards monarchists in 1797?
Tired of war and religious conflict so waned constitutional monarchy for peace
What was significant about 1797 elections?
Monarchists won more seats meaning the directory could not rely on as much support as only 1/3 deputies were loyal to them and if elections followed same pattern next year there would be possibility of monarchy be restored
What happened building up coup of fructidor?
Royalists starting to strengthen support as councils appointed three supporters to important positions- president of five hundred and president of ancients and a director
Two remaining directors were republican so sought help from army
What happened 3-4th September 1797 coup of fructidor?
Troops were ordered by remaining republican directors to seize strong points in Paris and surround councils
Arrested Carnot and Barthélemy and 53 deputies
Remaining deputies felt intimidated
What two decrees did the remaining deputies agree to by directors after coup of fructidor?
One cancelled elections in 49 departments and removed 177 deputies without replacements
Another provided deportation to penal settlements in Guiana Carnot and Barthélemy and arrested deputies with leading royalists
Directors also cancelled local government elections and appointed themselves
What action was taken against émigrés and refractory priests after coup of fructidor?
Émigrés who returned were given two weeks to leave or executed
Many hunted down and sentenced to death
What was the clergy required to do after fructidor?
Take oath rejecting royalism those who refused were deported
What did the directory do in terms of national debt
2/3 national debt renounced by one off payment
Reduced annual interest on national debt
What happened to people’s loans to government
They were converted into non interest bearing bonds used to buy national property
What four basic forms of direct taxes were established and when?
1798 Tax on trading licenses Tax on land Tax on moveable property Tax on doors and windows
What and when was the law of hostages?
Property of relatives who were émigrés could be seized
1799
When was the Babeuf plot?
March 1796
When and what was the coup of floreal?
1798
May 1798 the jacobins did well one elections and so directors again undermines constitution by persuading councils to pass law of floreal and annul these elections directors choosing most deputies to as replacements
When was battle of Fleurus ?
June 1794
Why was battle of Fleurus significant?
First of series of successes which continued until all members were out of first coalition except Britain
