The French Directory was a five-member committee that governed France from November 2, 1795, until November 10, 1799, when it was overthrown by Napoleon Bonaparte in the Coup of 18 Brumaire. This period is known as the Directory Period, which marked the second phase of the French Revolution.
Formation
Following the Thermidorian Reaction, which led to the fall of Maximilien Robespierre and the end of the Reign of Terror, a new constitution was drafted. The Constitution of Year III (1795) established the Directory as the executive power, replacing the Committee of Public Safety. The Directory was intended to provide a stable government after the chaos of the Terror, with checks and balances to prevent the rise of another dictator.
Structure and Function
- Executive Power: The Directory was composed of five directors chosen by an Electoral College from a list prepared by the Council of Five Hundred.
- Legislative Power: The legislative body was divided into two councils - the Council of Ancients (250 members) and the Council of Five Hundred. This bicameral system was designed to prevent the concentration of power.
- Term Limits: Directors could not serve consecutive terms, aiming to prevent the establishment of a permanent ruling elite.
Challenges and Instability
The Directory faced numerous challenges:
- Economic Issues: Inflation, war debts, and the aftermath of the Assignat system's collapse led to economic instability.
- Political Instability: The period was marked by frequent coups and political purges, with the Fructidor Coup of 1797 being one notable event where royalist sympathizers were removed from power.
- External Wars: France was at war with much of Europe, which not only drained resources but also necessitated military successes to maintain internal support for the government.
- Corruption and Inefficiency: The administration was plagued by corruption and inefficiency, leading to public disillusionment.
End of the Directory
The inability of the Directory to address these issues effectively paved the way for its downfall. Napoleon Bonaparte, who had risen to prominence through military victories, took advantage of the government's weakness. On November 9-10, 1799, he executed the Coup of 18 Brumaire, dissolving the Directory and establishing the Consulate, with himself as First Consul.
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