The Coup of Brumaire and the Overthrow of the Directory

Question 1

Give 5 reasons why the Directory was overthrown

Answer 1

• Jourdan’s Law
• Coup d’etat of Brumaire
• Law of 22 Floreal
• Collapse in the Provinces
• Forced Loan/Law of Hostages

Question 2

When was Jourdan’s Law introduced and what did it state?

Answer 2

1798 - Reintroduction of conscription. Led to widespread resistance

Question 3

How many made it to the first draft of Jourdan’s Law?

Answer 3

74,000/230,000 made it to the armies

Question 4

When was the Coup of Brumaire and what happened?

Answer 4

1799 - The councils were moved to Saint Cloud where a decree was proposed to abolish the Directory

Question 5

On what condition did Napoleon agree to join the Coup of Brumaire?

Answer 5

As long as a provisional government with 3 consuls would be set up

Question 6

Why did the Law of 22 Floreal result in the overthrow of the Directory?

Answer 6

Because 106 left wing deputies were deprived of their seats in the Council of 500

Question 7

When was the Collapse in the Provinces and what did it result in?

Answer 7

1799 - Brigandage (outbreaks of lawlessness and violence)

Question 8

Give 3 reasons why the provinces collapsed

Answer 8

• The Directory couldn’t persuade notables to take office and had few troops to enforce it
• Local authorities were often taken over by royalists who refused to co-operate in the Forced Loan
• The National Guard wasn’t large enough to maintain order

Question 9

What was the Forced Loan and what was its aim?

Answer 9

When the rich were forced to loan money to the government

Intended to raise 100 million livres

Question 10

What was the Law of Hostages?

Answer 10

Relatives of those opposing the revolution could be imprisoned and their property seized