The Directory

Question 1

Why were all of the directors regicides?

Answer 1

In order to prevent a royalist government/uprising

Question 2

Give 3 problems the directors faced when they came into power

Answer 2

• No end in sight of the war with the first coalition and it had to be paid for
• Taxes were unpaid and the Treasury was empty
• The assignat plummeted in value

Question 3

Give 4 reasons why the Directory lasted for so long

Answer 3

• Few wanted a return to the Jacobin Terror or the Absolute Monarchy (support)
• Public apathy - revolutionary enthusiasm had disappeared
• Had the support of the army - royalist restoration would lead to the end of war war which the army didn’t want
• Royalists were divided between the extremists who supported the Verona Declaration and constitutional monarchists

Question 4

What was the Conspiracy of Equals?

Answer 4

Babeuf’s theory of using a small group of revolutionaries rather than mass movement

Question 5

What was the Babeuf Plot (1796)?

Answer 5

Plot to overthrow the Directory. Failed as the Sans-Culottes and former Jacobins gave no support and so was arrested and executed.

Question 6

Why was the Babeuf Plot significant?

Answer 6

It was the first real opposition the Directory faced

Question 7

What was the Coup d’etat of Fructidor (1797)?

Answer 7

A royalist coup in which they were defeated by Napoleon as he guarded the legislature at the Tuileries.

Question 8

How did the Directory establish a terror after the coup d’etat?

Answer 8

Gave emigres and refractory priests 2 weeks to leave otherwise they would be executed. The Clergy were now required to take an oath rejecting any support for royalty or face deportation.

Question 9

How did the terror have a long term negative effect?

Answer 9

It caused more catholic opposition to the Directory.

Question 10

What was the Mandats territoriaux?

Answer 10

New paper currency issued which soon became worthless.

Question 11

Give 2 new direct taxes which were introduced and had a positive effect on the economy

Answer 11

Land tax and the movable property tax

Question 12

What was also reintroduced along with new direct taxes?

Answer 12

Indirect taxes

Question 13

When were the Austrian Netherlans (Belgium) and the United Provinces occupied?

Answer 13

1794

Question 14

What was the Treaty of Basel?

Answer 14

Treaty between France and Prussia in which France would get the left territory of Poland whilst Prussia would get the right.

Question 15

How did Britian overcome its political isolation?

Answer 15

Because it was also geographically isolated so France couldn’t invade

Question 16

How did France maintain support (foreign countries)?

Answer 16

Established a number of satellite states/sister republiccs including the Roman Republic

Question 17

Why did a number of countries regain faith and form the Second Coalition?

Answer 17

Because Nelson destroyed Napoleon’s fleet as he travelled to Egypt in order to fight British forces