Political Change Flashcards

1
Q

When did the ‘Infernal Machine’ take place? What was this? - Political Change

A

The ‘Infernal Machine’ took place on the 24th December 1800, with this being a plot to assassinate Napoleon. A barrel filled with gunpowder was exploded as his carriage passes when on his way to a gala performance.

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2
Q

How many people were killed or wounded as part of the ‘Infernal Machine’? - Political Change

A

52 people were killed or wounded as part of the ‘Infernal Machine’.

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3
Q

Why did Napoleon commit to a plebiscite over his changes to the Constitution? When did this plebiscite take place? - Political Change

A

Napoleon decided to allow a plebiscite over the Constitution of Year VIII in order to show concern for democracy and legitimise his position with the French people following him seizing power in the Coup of Brumaire.
Plebiscite held in 1800.

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4
Q

What was the turnout of the 1800 plebiscite? What % of people voted in favour of this? - Political Change

A

The 1800 plebiscite had a turnout of 25%, with 99.94% of voters supporting the measures.

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5
Q

As Minister of the Interior, what % did Lucien Bonaparte adjust the turnout of the 1800 plebiscite to? Why? - Political Change

A

Lucien Bonaparte adjusted the election figures to suggest that 46% of people had voted in the 1800 plebiscite. This was in order to provide a stronger mandate and acceptance of Napoleon’s regime and the consulate.

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6
Q

Who was Napoleon’s first Minister of Justice? Who was his Minister for Police? Why were these appointments significant? - Political Change

A

Napoleon’s first Minister of Justice was Cambaceres, while Fouche was his Minister of Police. These individuals were prominent supporters of Napoleon, with this meaning that he was virtually guaranteed of loyalty from within his own government.

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7
Q

When did the ‘Dagger Conspiracy’ take place? What group was behind this? - Political Change

A

The ‘Dagger Conspiracy’ took place in October 1800, with a group of Jacobins attempting to assassinate Napoleon.

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8
Q

How many Jacobins were deported to the Seychelles or Guiana in 1801? - Political Change

A

129 Jacobins were deported to the Seychelles or Guiana in 1801.

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9
Q

What group plotted the ‘Infernal Machine’? - Political Change

A

Royalists plotted the Infernal Machine.

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10
Q

What methods did Napoleon use to mitigate potential Jacobin threats? - Political Change

A

Napoleon used spies to infiltrate potential Jacobin groups and made examples of leaders. Some leaders were deported, while civil servants that were suspected of Jacobinism were dismissed.

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11
Q

What misplaced hopes did some Royalists have of the Napoleonic regime? Who did these hopes revolve around? - Political Change

A

Some Royalists initially believed that Napoleon would act to restore the Bourbon monarchy, with this coming through the installing of the comte de Provence OR Louis-Phillipe d’Orleans on the throne.

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12
Q

What methods did Napoleon use to dismiss any Royalist threats to his position? - Political Change

A

Napoleon continued the use of military tribunals to persecute rebel leaders, as well as launched internal military campaigns against royalist and conservative rebels in France. Expanded his policing operations to further attempt to diminish any threats.

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13
Q

In 1800, how many rebels in Brittany were taken? How many were shot? - Political Change

A

In 1800 in Brittany, 6000 Chouan rebels were taken, with 750 shot.

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14
Q

How many assassination attempts did Pichegru coordinate against Napoleon between 1800 and 1804? - Political Change

A

Pichergu organised 2 assassination attempts against Napoleon between 1800 and 1804.

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15
Q

Who was the duc d’Enghien? Why was he a threat to Napoleon? - Political Change

A

The duc d’Enghien was a Bourbon prince who had served with emigrees during the revolutionary wars. He was a direct link to the previous Bourbon dynasty and as such was a potential person that the Royalist faction could unite behind to launch a dynastic revival.

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16
Q

Why was the duc d’Enghien regarded with suspicion by Napoleon? What action was taken against him to end his threat? - Political Change

A

The duc d’Enghien was regarded with suspicion by Napoleon as he was said to have been in contact with emigrees and royalists, in addition to recieving funds from England. He was kidnapped as part of a plot by Napoleon, with him eventually being executed as a result of his supposed crimes.

17
Q

Why were some moderate Liberals critical of Napoleon despite his reputation as being well regarded by moderate groups? - Political Change

A

Some Liberals were critical of Napoleon’s government due to the apparent emergence of a dictatorship and the lack of guarantees for rights such as freedom of speech and the freedom of the press.

18
Q

Why were Madame de Stael and Benjamin Constant a threat to Napoleon? What action was take against the pair? - Political Change

A

de Stael and Constant were considered threats to Napoleon due to their salon hosting gatherings which resembled a liberal resistance group. The pair were banished to a distance of 64km from Paris.

19
Q

What action did Napoleon take to reintegrate previously oppressed groups within his new regime? - Political Change

A

Napoleon sought to reconcile previously oppressed Western rebels to the new regime by offering an amnesty to those who agreed to lay down their arms. He also sought to encourage the return of emigrees and refractory priests to France. Napoleon promised to protect Catholicism.

20
Q

Which groups were Napoleon’s speeches and propaganda directed towards? What particular policies did he pursue to achieve this? - Political Change

A

Napoleon’s propaganda and speeches aimed to win bourgeois support, with this focussing on reassuring owners of former church lands and maintaining stability within France rather than descending into populist chaos.

21
Q

What was Amalgame? What was ralliement? - Political Change

A

Amalgame was Napoleon’s policy of attempting to end the Ancien Regime’s social divisions by reconciling the old nobility with new ruling elites. Ralliement was Napoleon’s policy of uniting all factions within France around his new regime.

22
Q

When was Napoleon offered the position of ‘Consul for Life’? What benefits came from this position? - Political Change

A

Napoleon was offered the role of ‘Consul for Life’ in 1802, with this granting him the right to name his heir and serve until his death (contrary to the previous limit of 10 years in a post).

23
Q

When was the Constitution of Year X approved? What did this change (in terms of Napoleon’s position and elections)? - Political Change

A

The Constitution of Year X was approved in 1802, with this making Napoleon Consul for Life and altering electoral requirements so that only those from the leading 600 taxpayers in each département could be placed on the departmental list.

24
Q

What % of people voted in the plebiscite on the Constitution of Year X? What % of voters approved this? - Political Change

A

50.5% of people voted in the plebiscite on the Constitution of Year X. 99.76% of voters approved the changes.

25
Q

When did Napoleon establish Emperor status for himself? What reasoning was there behind this (supposed/reality)? - Political Change

A

Napoleon established Emperor status for himself in 1804, with this supposedly coming after advice fron his counsellors and following the pressure of public opinion. However, in reality, this is likely to have resulted from the resumption of the war and the threat of Royalist revolts to Napoleon’s power.

26
Q

Why did Napoleon not name himself as a king? - Political Change

A

Napoleon resisted designating himself as King of France due to the likelihood of association with the preceding Bourbon regime which could damage his popularity.

27
Q

When was the Constitution of Year XII passed? What changes did this approve? - Political Change

A

The Constitution of Year XII was passed in 1804, with this approving Napoleon being designated as Emperor of the French, creating the French Empire.

28
Q

What % of voters voted on the Constitution of Year XII? What % apprvoved the changes? - Political Change

A

47.2% of voters voted on the Constitution of Year XII, with 99.93% of those voting approving this.

29
Q

When was Napoleon consecrated as Emperor of the French? What was significant about the ceremony for this? - Political Change

A

Napoleon was consecrated as Emperor of the French on the 2nd December 1804. Napoleon had requested the Pope’s attendance at this ceremony, yet did not allow the Pope to crown him, doing this himself. He then later crowned Josephine.

30
Q

When did Napoleon begin to block the wishes of the Tribunate and Legislative bodies? What measure was used for this? - Political Change

A

Napoleon began to block the wishes of the Tribunate and Legislative Body in 1801. This was done through the use of senatus consultum, which allows him to override the wishes of these 2 bodies.

31
Q

How did Napoleon manipulate the membership of the senate for his own gain? - Political Change

A

Napoleon increased the membership of the Senate by filling it with his own supporters, with this practice aided by distributing salaries, gifts and titles to those in the Senate to ensure loyalty.

32
Q

Between which dates did Napoleon purge the Senate, Tribunate and Legislative Body? - Political Change

A

Napoleon purged the Senate, Tribunate and Legislative Body between January and March 1802.

33
Q

How many people did Napoleon remove from the Tribunate? How many from the Legislative Body? What did he split the Tribunate into? - Political Change

A

Napoleon removed 20 from the Tribunate and 60 from the Legislative Body. He split the Tribunate into 3 to diminish its influence.

34
Q

When did Napoleon abolish the Tribunate? When did the Legislative Body cease to meet? - Political Change

A

Napoleon abolished the Tribunate in 1810, later ceasing meetings of the Legislative Body in 1813.

35
Q

When did the last meeting of the legislative body take place? - Political Change

A

The last meeting of the legislative body took place in 1813.