Weakness of the Directory in the Coup of Brumaire

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Weakness of the Directory in the Coup of Brumaire

Advantages

  • Was tolerated rather than accepted by public
  • Faced opposition from Royalists, Jacobins, Catholics and bourgeois:                                                                                            > sanctions against Church lifted under Directory meant clergy and royalist supporters returning form exile, including the Comte de Provence, the younger brother of Louis XVI                                        > Royalist uprising in Paris in 1975                                                     > Bourgeois afraid the Directory couldn't protect their property acquired during the Revolution from a Royalist revival                    >looking for a stronger government
  • Divided and indecisive:                                                                      > consisted of 5 officers who had no legislative power, only power to appoint others in roles. Annual elections also had to take place to keep government in check and avoid domination of one party as in Terror                                                                                                  > however new checks and balances system became downfall. Took too long to put in place reforms and focused on keeping progressive members out rather than failing economic situation       > people unhappy and look for more effective and powerful leader
  • Seen as violating the Constitution:                                                         > results of September 1797 elections seen as pro-royalist and pro-Jacobin results, 3 members of Directory annulled results and removed majority of deputies from their seats                                     > system not equal, resorting back to ways of previous governments, lost respect of populace and all credibility

Disadvantages

  • Coup needed more than discontent of public to succeed:                 > Directory was the longest lasting of the Revolutionary governments, 4 years                                                                   >had survived events of Floral and Fructidor                                     > showed it was not completely weak and had some support

Evaluation

Weakness of Directory was a major factor, as without it there would have been no backing for an uprising. However, there needed to be a catalyst to begin the coup, as the Directory had shown it was moderately popular and solid by lasting longest out of the Revolutionary governments. 

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