Week 10- Strengths and weaknesses of the new constitution

Question 1

When was the new constitution adopted?

Answer 1

24th December 1799

Question 2

Who drafted the new constitution?

Answer 2

Emmanuel-Joseph Sieyès

Question 3

What was the aim of the new constitution?

Answer 3

To reassure partisans of the Revolution by upholding the legislation against the émigré nobility.
Disguised the military dictatorship created by Napoleon.
It concentrated all real power in the hands of Napoleon.

Question 4

How did Napoleon get support for the new constitution?

Answer 4

France was in a poor state economically due to the expenses of war and dept of the ancien regime.
Napoleon presented himself as a figure of hope and peace after a period of instability.
This was emphasised by his victories abroad.

Question 5

What was the structure of the new government?

Answer 5

Consisted of three Consuls and The Legislature.

Question 6

What was the structure of the legislature?

Answer 6

Consisted of the Tribunate and a legislative body

Question 7

What did the three consuls consist of?

Answer 7

First Consul, Council of State and the Senate

Question 8

What was the First Consul?

Answer 8

Shared executive power with two others.
Held office for ten years.
Appointed ministers
Acted as director of policy and initiator of all legislation

Question 9

What was the Council of State?

Answer 9

Chosen by the First Consul.

Acted as an advisory body; nominated officials and prepared draft legislation.

Question 10

What was the Senate?

Answer 10

Comprised of 80 members nominated by the First Consul.
Advised the First Consul on legislation.
Could override decisions made by the legislature through senatus consultum.

Question 11

What was the Tribunate?

Answer 11

The lower chamber of legislature.
Comprised of 100 members.
They would discuss legislation but not vote.

Question 12

What was the Legislative body?

Answer 12

The upper chamber of the legislature.
Comprised of 300 members.
They would vote on legislation but not discuss.

Question 13

Who were the three consuls?

Answer 13

Napoleon Bonaparte and Jean-Jacques Regis and de Cambaceres who joined in December 1799.

Question 14

When was the new constitution confirmed?

Answer 14

7th February 1800

Confirmed by a public referendum.

Question 15

What were the strengths of the structure of the constitution?

Answer 15

Provided for strong ‘top-down’ control.

Question 16

What were the weaknesses of the structure of the constitution?

Answer 16

It was very complex.
Promises made by the constitution were not being put into action.
The changes Sieyes hoped would be brought about by the coup did not come to fruition.

Question 17

What strengths were there in the checks and balances of the constitution?

Answer 17

One fifth of the members of the legislature would step down each year.
Not one body held too much power over legislation.

Question 18

What weaknesses were there in the checks and balances of the constitution?

Answer 18

There was no clear provision as to how members were to be selected to step down.
There was no procedure in place to limit the powers of the consuls.
Whilst it gave the vote to all adult males, only 6000 of 6 million were eligible serve in the legislature of 400.

Question 19

How was the new constitution recieved?

Answer 19

The coup was greeted favourably by the public in Paris where some Jacobinism lingered.
There was opposition from Jacobins in the provinces.