Weakness of the Directory & the Coup of Brumaire

Question 1

3 Weaknesses of the Directory

Answer 1

Jourdan’s Law 1798 - Reintroduced conscription, led to resistance

2nd Coalition - European powers formed again in 1799, France was pushed back from Germany & Italy. This meant the Directory could no longer be funded from plunder and more defeats increased discontent

Coup of Prairial - 1799, Jacobins forced the removal of 2 directors and passed a loan on the rich

Question 2

Coup of Brumaire

Answer 2

1799

Sieyes, a Director, plotted a coup and chose Napoleon for army support.
Sieyes moved the Councils to St Cloud due to a fake Jacobins plot. Plotters abolished the Directory, replacing it with a system of 3 Consuls.
Napoleon dominated the other 2 Consuls, became First Consul with complete executive power, the other 2 became mere advisors