The role of others in the Coup of Brumaire

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The role of others in the Coup of Brumaire

Advantages

  • Sieyes:                                                                                                  > wanted a strong executive government and to protect bourgeois interests                                                                                             >it was him who originated the plot and and recruited Napoleon         > he was powerful in the Directory as he was a Director                     > this allowed him to convince the council to move to Saint-Cloud outside Paris                                                                                      > meant the council was away from the city and under intimidation of Napoleons troops which allowed coup to be successful
  • Lucien:                                                                                          >convinced 500 to move to Saint-Cloud where they would be isolated and vulnerable to attack                                                   >saved Napoleon from being outlawed and attacked                          > made a dramatic speech about being willing to run Napoleon through if he attempted to seize power                                         >galvanised army (decisive force) into action at key moment when 500 tried to kill Napoleon, thinking quickly and expelling 500, prompting Ancients to surrender, saving the coup
  • The army:                                                                                      >Directory relied on army to keep afloat, using it at Fructidor to remove Royalists and to purge Councils                                      >however army had grievances against Directory, lack of footwear and wage delays                                                                        >wanted new leader                                                                           >Grenadiers saved Napoleon from attack at Council of 500 and drove 500 out

Disadvantages

  • Sieyes:                                                                                                  > out done by Napoleon, as his plan for a peaceful coup was taken over by Napoleon and changed into a military coup.                         > Sieyes ignored and Napoleon used army to drive out and arrest Council of 500
  • Lucien:                                                                                             >on his own, didn't command military support like Napoleon             > didn't instigate the plot, rescued it, but wouldn't have happened without others actions
  • The army:                                                                                            > but would have been inefficient without a leader, and could have been against Napoleon                                                                       > would not have been as effective if Sieyes and Lucien had not moved Council to Saint-Cloud                                                             > may not have acted in favour of Napoleon if not for Lucien's speech

Evaluation

Role of others in coup was very important. The combination of Sieyes and Lucien proved crucial in ensuring the success of the coup, as without them it would not have been instigated, and may have failed at several points along the way. 

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