The constitution of 1795 established
a new government called the Directory. The Legislature was divided
into two councils elected by male adult taxpayers. These two councils
were the Council of Ancients and the Council of Five Hundred.
These two councils appointed an executive consisting of five directors.
The
Difficulties with the Directory
After six years of the revolution the Directory faced many serious
problems in the financial and administrative areas. It also faced
opposition by radicals and royalists. The constitution introduced
a method of election to make sure that the wealthy bourgeoisie
controlled the government. The Directory became very corrupted.
It also failed to solve the high inflation and unemployment. This
made it very unpopular. Many plots by the radicals and the royalists
seriously weakened the Directory. There was widespread fear that
the monarchy would be restored unless the executive was strengthened.
The widespread desire for a stronger government made it easy for
Napoleon Bonaparte to seize power.
The Rise
of Napoleon Bonaparte
In 1793 he recaptured the French Naval port of Toulon form the
British. As a result of this he was promoted to General. In 1795
he was given control of the French army in Italy after suppressing
an uprising against the National Convention. In Napoleon's Italian
campaign he destroyed the first coalition, defeated the Austrian
and Sardinian armies and conquered much of North and central Italy.
Austria was then forced to make peace. All of these victories
made Napoleon a hero. The Directory then decided to weaken Britain
so they had Napoleon invade Egypt, then march East to try and
drive the British out of India. However Napoleon's fleet was then
completely destroyed by the British Navy. After news of French
defeats back in Europe Napoleon abandoned his army and sailed
back to France. He was welcomed back as a National hero.
