The Coup of Brumaire in 1799 Flashcards
How did Foreign War become a catalyst for Napoleons coup?
Austria and France at war in March 1799 - best army in Egypt and Syria yet suffered a series of losses.
How had coups become an accepted norm?
The coup of 30 Prarial - ousted Jacobins and left Sieyes as ruler of Directory.
When was the coup of Brumaire?
9th November, 1799
What was the plan of the coup?
Troops deployed around Paris, persuade Directors to reign and then the Councils would draw up new constitution.
What did Lucien Bonaparte falsely persuade the Councils of?
That a Jacobin Coup was taking place on 9th November.
What was Napoleon given command of?
The safety of the two councils and command of all available troops.
Who resigned later that morning?
Sieyes, Ducos and later Barras, destroying the directory.
Who resisted the coup?
The two Jacobin directors - Gohier and Moulin. They were both arrested on day two.
What did Napoleon do on the 10th November?
Stormed into chambers - coup within the coup.
How did the Councils respond to Napoleon?
- He told Council of Ancients ‘the Republic had no government’ and was met with heckling.
- Council of 500 outright assaulted him.
What did the Council of Ancien’s pass later that day?
Decree suspending councils for three months and appointed Napoleon, Sieyes and Ducos as three consuls.
What was the impact of the decree?
The Directory and two councils came to an end.
How did Napoleon gain power for himself?
Sieyes was removed from consular within one month.
What proved the revolution was over?
There was a lack of reaction from the streets.
What happened to resisting Jacobin officeholders?
Quickly crushed, twenty Jacobin deputies exiled and others arrested.
What was the constitution of Year VIII absent of?
First constitution without a Declaration of Rights.
What did Napoleon insist?
That he was First Consul which had greater power.
What allowed Napoleon to rule by decree?
The Senat Conservateur - Council of State and Tribunat became relatively unimportant.
What was the terminology specifically modelled on?
The Roman system, reminding the French of stability, order and peace.
What confirmed the new constitution?
A public referendum in 1800, vesting power in first consul.
What percentage of approval was there from the public?
99%, however vote conducted by Lucien Bonaparte.
What three parliamentarian assemblies did the new government consist of?
1/ Council fo State - drafted Bills
2/ The Tribunat - debated bills instead of voted
3/ Legislative Assembly - could not discuss but voted.
Who was the ultimate authority with?
The three consuls who were elected for ten years. But in 1802 the first consul was made lifetime.
What was retained?
Popular suffrage.
What did Napoleon say about politics?
‘In politics stupidity is not a handicap’
