f) Fructidor Flashcards
Why did support grow for a constitutional monarchy in 1797?
- War of the First Coalition was about restoring the monarchy.
- A limited monarchy would remove the reason for conflict - Instability, poverty and religious conflict.
- Many believed that a limited monarchy could restore order
What evidence shows that monarchists did well in Convention elections in 1797?
They won 180 out of the 260 challenged seats
They had 330 out of 750 seats in the Councils of Five Hundred and Ancients
Among the Directors, Carnot and Barthélemy were sympathetic towards monarchists
How did the government respond to the growing monarchist support in 1797?
Arrested Carnot and Barthélemy and 53 deputies
177 deputies from 49 departments were removed from office
The Directory cancelled local elections and chose instead to make appointments themselves
What were the consequences of the government’s actions to reduce monarchist support in 1797?
Greatly reduced the influence of monarchists
The Directory could now govern France with no significant opposition
Why did the Directory declare the 1795 Constitution null and void in 1797?
There was no effective opposition from the councils
The Directory was able to implement widespread changes
How did the Directory challenge Emigres in 1797?
The Directory gave the emigres two weeks to leave the country: the remaining would be sentenced to death
How did the Directory challenge the Refractory Clergy in 1797?
Those who refused to swear an oath of loyalty, that supported the government and rejected monarchism, were sentenced to deportation
How did the Directory restructure the national debt in September 1797?
- New Currency - to replace the worthless assignats
- Debt Transfer - interest free bonds would be used to purchase state property
- Government Expenditure & Revenues - introduced new taxes, and collection was controlled by the Directory
What were the positive consequences of the financial changes in September 1797?
Government payment decreased from 240 to 80 million per year
Briefly created some stability in the French economy
They were getting in what they were giving out - no debt
What were the negative consequences of the financial changes in September 1797?
Taxation and national debt remained high
The bonds were largely worthless, government eventually refused to accept them in exchange for state property
The new currency quickly lost value and was withdrawn in 1797-8
