i) The Failure Of The Directory

Question 1

What were three weaknesses of the 1795 Constitution?

Answer 1

1. Annual elections - frequent changes in deputies
2. Directors tried to influence elections to keep Royalists out of the councils
3. Fed up - little support for a constitution, the public were not interested in the change of government

Question 2

Why did the Directory have alienated support by 1799?

Answer 2

• Its natural supporters were wealthy notables
• But stopped supporting the Directory after the forced loans
• They stopped participating in annual elections or took up posts in gov

Question 3

Why were people opposed to the war in 1799?

Answer 3

• Fed up
• Brought on hardships
• Family dying

Question 4

Why was Jacobin influence a factor that led to the failure of the Directory?

Answer 4

Jacobins helped to discredit the Directory

Question 5

What evidence is there to suggest that by 1799, there was no loyalty in the Directory?

Answer 5

Nearly 90% of deputies elected in 1799 had not been members of the convention

Only 5% of the deputies had supported the execution of Louis XVI

Question 6

What were some of the Directory’s successes?

Answer 6

Lasted longer than any other revolutionary government

Introduced economic reforms that improved the tax system and agricultural growth

Enjoyed great success on the battlefield