Napoleon's rise to power Flashcards
When and why was Napoleon made commander of the Army of the Interior?
October 1795
As a reward for saving the Republic during the Vendemiaire rising.
When was Napoleon’s Italian campaign?
March 1796 - October 1797
What was the aim of Napoleon’s Italian campaign?
To hold back the Austrians in Italy by way of a diversion
What ended Napoleon’s Italian campaign?
The Treaty of Campo Formio
Also ended the War of the First Coalition
What did the terms of the Treaty of Campo Formio recognise?
French control over Belgium (previously the Austrian Netherlands)
The French Rhine frontier
Success of Italian campaign for Napoleon?
Displayed his talents both as a military commander and as a diplomat.
Why did Napoleon invade Egypt?
Protect French trade interests
Weaken British commerce and trade routes
Establish a French presence in the Middle East
Win an easy military victory
When did Napoleon set off for Egypt?
May 1798
Who made up the Second Coalition?
Austria
Russia
The Ottoman Empire
Portugal
Napoleon’s failures of the Egyptian campaign
French fleet destroyed by Nelson at Aboukir Bay - Battle of the Nile (August 1798)
Abandoned siege of Acre, after underestimating opposition - turning point (March - May 1799)
Example of a “forced march”?
80km in 36 hours by General Augereau’s corps during the Italian campaign.
How did Napoleon motivate his men?
Speeches
Leading by example
How did Sieyes prepare for the coup of Brumaire?
Bribed council members
Arranged for Lucien Bonaparte to be elected as President of the Council of Five Hundred
Deployed troops around Paris.
What was the original plan of the coup of Brumaire?
To persuade the Directors to resign
To persuade the two councils to appoint a commission to draw a new constitution
Events of the 18th Brumaire
Rumour spread of a supposed Jacobin coup Both assemblies persuaded to leave Paris for Saint-Cloud, to be far away from Jacobin mob Sieyes, Ducos and Barras resigned as Directors Remaining Directors (Moulin and Gohier) placed under house arrest
Events of the 19th Brumaire
Napoleon stormed into the Council of Ancients, and then the Council of Five Hundred, accusing them of destroying the constitution through the coups of the Directory
Lucien made palace guards intervene to save Napoleon
Napoleon, Ducos and Sieyes appointed as provisional Consuls.
Why did Sieyes mount the coup of Brumaire?
To establish an executive that could supply strong leadership.
When was the coup de Brumaire?
November 1799
Constitution of Year VIII
24th December 1799
Created a strong executive, as sought by Sieyes
What could the First Consul do?
Appoint and dismiss ministers
Make legislative proposals
Control foreign policy
Who were the first three Consuls?
Napoleon (1st)
Cambaceres (2nd)
Lebrun (3rd)
How long did the Consuls hold office for?
10 years
French Consulate structure
First Consul Council of State Senate Legislative Body Tribunate
Difference between legislative body and tribunate
Legislative Body voted on legislation but could not discuss it, whereas the tribunate discussed legislation but could not vote on it.
What caused the Coup of Brumaire?
Lucien - Decisive action saved the coup
Napoleon - impatience + popularity following army + support of army
State of public opinion towards the Directory at the end of 1799 - link to Constitution of Year III
Sieyes
The Senate
Selected the deputies of the Tribunate and Legislative Body
Advised the First Consul on draft legislation
Could override decisions made by the legislature through ‘senatus consultum’
The Council of State
Chosen by the First Consul
Acted as an advisory body
Prepared draft legislation
Factors contributing to the failure of the Directory
Constitution of Year III prevented the Directory from being able to create stability - annual elections / no provisions for settling disputes between the executive and the legislature or to change the constitution
Directors interfering with election results in order to maintain a non-Jacobin/Royalist majority in the Councils, through the coups, disrespected the Constitution of Year III
Increasing reliance on the army to settle political disputes - Risings of Prairial and Vendemiaire (Thermidoreans) and the Coup of Fructidor
Policies alienated bourgeoise (forced loans), who refused to vote in the annual elections, take up posts in local government, or defend the Directory
Reasons contributing to collapse of government administration in the provinces in 1799
Directory commanded few troops so could not enforce it decrees
National Guard not large enough to keep order in the absence of regular troops, so substantial areas of the countryside were not policed at all
Resulted in brigandage
