Directory-Threats from the left Flashcards
the Babeuf Plot, the Coup of Floreal and Coup of Prairial
Who was Gracchus Babeuf?
-radical journalist and editor of Tribun de Peuple
-Jacobin
What did Babeuf advocate for?
-The complete nationalisation and redistribution of land to provide for all
-He championed the implementation of the Jacobin constitution (June 1793)
-Later called for the return of the Terror
When was the Babeuf plot- “The conspiracy of Equals”
-11 May 1796 ( 22 Floreal)
Was the Babeuf plot a threat to the Directory?
YES:
-Advocated the overthrow of the goverment: Used Rousseau’s social contract
-March 1796, Babouvists encouraged three battalions (17,000 police) of the Parisan police to mutiny
NO:
-Little more than a radical thinker
-Small following - the people’s tribune only had 500 subscribers and only 20-50 babouvists in paris
-influence only centred in Paris
-10 May- Grisel betrayed Babeuf to Carnot (director)
When was Babeuf guillotined?
-May 1797
What was the significance of the Babeuf plot?
-Short-term: put down a threat from below
However:
-Reliance on the army and unorthodox measures + undermined rule of law
Why was their a shift towards Jacobinism in government in 1798?
-Remel’s indirect taxes (reminiscent of AR) + unorthodox measures of the Directory
How many Jacobin deputies were voted in ,in the 1798 elections
-86/437 deputies voted in: still a small amount but Directory felt threatened
What was the Coup of 22 Floreal (11 May 1798)?
-Convinced the Council of 500 to annul the 1798 elections in all but 53 departments which led to 127 deputies losing their seats in the council of 500
What other measures did the Directory take?
-shut down Jacobin press in Paris
-started rumors that neo-jacobinism posed significant threat to public (terror still prevalent so people scared)
How did the Coup of Floreal strengthen the Directory’s position?
-Ensured the dominance of the Directory over the council of 500
-Prevented a neo-Jacobin resurgence
-Did not depend on military intervention
How did the Coup of Floreal undermine the Directory’s position?
-The political system was broken
-An air of impermanence hung about the Directory
- reliance on undemocratic measures
When was Abbe Sieyes elected as president of Council of 500 and b) when was he a director
a)1798
b)May 1799- shows his popularity as list created by 500 then chosen by Ancients
When was the coup of Prairial?
-18 June 1798
What was the coup of Prairial?
-Abbe Sieyes, supported by Barras, proposed to enforce the council’s demands that Directors Revelliere and Douai should step down
-Treihard’s appointment to the Directory had been seen as illegal and he was replaced by Gohier on 17th June
- on 18 June, When they refused Sieyes called upon General Joubert to force them to resign
Who replaced Revelliere and Douai in the Directory?
-Ducos and Moulin
a)What did Abbe Sieyes introduce in July 1799 and b) signifiance?
a)Law of Hostages
b) Very reminiscent of Jacobin terror and allowed officials take actions
-However was used to varying levels – depended on the attitudes in localities
What was the significance of the coup of prairial?
-Coup was a precursor for the coup of Brumaire which brought NB to power
-Coup left Sieyes as the dominant figure in the French Gov.
