Most important cause of the Directory's overthrow in 1799? Flashcards
Factors?
N
Not N
Directory l-t
Lucien
Why was N the most important?
Proved himself to be worthy powerholder; well-established military connections (therefore had sufficient troops and public support to cement overthrow); military successes eg Vendemaire
Had undermined the gov in Italy; Campo Formio- he seemed true holder of authority; gov relied on him
Italian campaign tied troops to him- payments in gold and silver
Played part in moving council to Saint Cloud; prevented jacobins ruining the coup
N - v ambitious; Sieyes just wanted to strengthen exec at expense of leg.
His invention of the 1st consul; movement away from democracy of Directory, affirming its demise
Undermining that N was. the most important?
N refused to suppress the vendee rebellion of 1795- came v close to losing position
Directory made themselves reliant on the army; removed police legion after Babeuf & N and his troops used to arrest dictators at Fructidor
Nap propaganda to mask truth - Ancients speech wasnt effective
N almost impared the coup when he stormed in Council of 500- indicated a lack of composure
N was 3rd choice as General for Sieyes who would leave the conspirators
Directory l-t was the most important?
Undermined const at Floreal and Fructidor - led to loss of popular confidence..this failure meant there was no publicdefence of it so N could succeed woith little force
Economic crisis- forced loan only raised 10m
Law of hostage- returning to Terror tactics; further losing support
Lucien s-t was the most important?
Key in convincing councils to moving to Saint-Cloud- meant no Jacobins could dismantle the Coup
Despite being given position as President of 500, he still had to side with N and Sieyes and persuade crowd (acted as an intermediary)
Speech to guards at Orangery- convinced them N would not betray liberty and called on army to follow their general and ‘employ force against these disturbances’
Conc
While N benefitted the most, without Lucien’s support, N and his troops would have been branded outlaws and ousted
