French Directory facts for kids

The Directory (also known as the Directorate) was a special five-member group that ruled France from November 2, 1795, to November 9, 1799. It was the government of the French First Republic after a period of big changes and challenges. This government was eventually overthrown by Napoleon Bonaparte in an event called the Coup of 18 Brumaire, and a new government, the French Consulate, took its place.

What Was the Directory?

The Directory was set up after the Reign of Terror, a time when many people were executed in France. People wanted a more stable government. The Directory was designed to prevent any one person or group from having too much power. It had five "directors" who were in charge of running the country.

How the Directory Was Formed

After the fall of Maximilien Robespierre and the end of the Reign of Terror, France needed a new way to govern itself. A new constitution, called the Constitution of 1795, was written. This constitution created the Directory.

Setting Up the New Government

The new government had two main parts for making laws:

• The Council of Five Hundred: This group proposed new laws.
• The Council of Ancients: This group approved or rejected the laws proposed by the Council of Five Hundred.

The five directors were chosen by the Council of Ancients from a list provided by the Council of Five Hundred. Each year, one director was replaced. This system was meant to keep power balanced.

Challenges Faced by the Directory

The Directory faced many problems during its time in power. France was still recovering from the revolution, and there was a lot of disagreement and instability.

Political Struggles

The government had to deal with challenges from both sides:

• Royalists: These were people who wanted to bring back the king and the old monarchy. They tried to gain power and even rebelled.
• Jacobins: These were people who wanted a more radical republic, similar to the time of the Reign of Terror. Some, like François Noël Babeuf, even tried to overthrow the government.

Dealing with Rebellions

The Directory often used the army to put down rebellions. For example, in October 1795, government troops led by Napoleon Bonaparte fired on royalist rebels in Paris, stopping their uprising. This showed how important the army became in keeping the Directory in power.

Economic Problems

France also faced serious economic issues. Money was not worth much, and prices for goods were very high. This made life difficult for many ordinary people and led to more unrest.

The Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte

While the Directory struggled with internal problems, France was also at war with other European countries. This is where Napoleon Bonaparte became very important.

Military Victories

Napoleon was a brilliant general. He led French armies to many victories, especially in Italy.

• He won battles like the Battle of Arcole and the Battle of Rivoli, defeating the Austrians.
• These victories made him very popular and powerful.

Expedition to Egypt

In 1798, Napoleon led a military expedition to Egypt. Although some battles were won on land, the French navy suffered a major defeat at the Battle of the Nile. This left Napoleon and his army stranded in Egypt for a time.

The End of the Directory

Despite Napoleon's military successes abroad, the Directory at home continued to struggle with political instability and economic problems.

The Coup of 18 Brumaire

In 1799, some of the directors, including Emmanuel Joseph Sieyès, decided that the Directory was too weak and needed to be replaced. They planned a coup d'état, which is a sudden takeover of the government. They asked Napoleon to help them because of his popularity and military support.

Napoleon Takes Power

On November 9, 1799 (the 18th of Brumaire in the French Republican calendar), Napoleon and his soldiers took control. He confronted the members of the Council of Five Hundred. Although there was some resistance, Napoleon managed to seize power. The Directory was officially ended.

The Consulate Begins

After the coup, a new government called the French Consulate was formed. Napoleon became the First Consul, which made him the most powerful person in France. This marked the end of the Directory and the beginning of Napoleon's rise to absolute power.

Life During the Directory

Even with all the political changes, life in France continued. People tried to return to some sense of normalcy after the revolution.

Fashion and Culture

During the Directory, there was a reaction against the strictness of the Reign of Terror. People, especially the wealthy, started wearing more extravagant and colorful clothes.

• Groups like the Muscadins and Incroyables wore very fashionable and sometimes over-the-top outfits.
• Art and furniture styles also changed, moving towards a more classical look.

Public Life

Despite the government's struggles, public life slowly began to revive. Theaters reopened, and social gatherings became more common. However, the political uncertainty always lingered in the background.

Images for kids

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  The Convention rises against Robespierre (July 27, 1794), leading to the end of the Reign of Terror.

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  François Antoine de Boissy d'Anglas, who helped write the Constitution of 1795.

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  Paul Barras, a powerful director who defended the government.

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  General Lazare Hoche defeated a royalist army in Brittany (July 1795).

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  Government troops under Napoleon fire on rebels in Paris (October 5, 1795).

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  A silver 5 French franc coin from the Directory period.

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  François Noël Babeuf, a radical who tried to overthrow the Directory.

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  Followers of Babeuf attacking an army camp (September 9-10, 1796).

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  Bonaparte leading his soldiers across a bridge at the Battle of Arcole (November 17, 1796).

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  Bonaparte defeats the Austrians at the Battle of Rivoli (January 14, 1797).

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  A British cartoon showing the failed French invasion of Ireland in 1797.

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  General Jean-Charles Pichegru, accused of secretly supporting the royalists.

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  General Pierre Augereau, an ally of Bonaparte, who arrested royalist leaders.

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  The army arresting General Pichegru at the Tuileries Palace (September 4, 1797).

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  The Destruction of 'L'Orient' at the Battle of the Nile, August 1, 1798, by George Arnald. This defeat left Bonaparte stranded in Egypt.

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  Emmanuel Joseph Sieyès helped plan the coup that ended the Directory.

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  Joseph Fouché, the Minister of Police, who did not stop Bonaparte's takeover.

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  Bonaparte confronting the Council of Five Hundred (November 10, 1799).

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  Bonaparte as the new First Consul, by Antoine-Jean Gros, around 1802.

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  Dress of upper-class Parisians in 1797 by Louis-Léopold Boilly.

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  Les deux incroyables: Muscadins or Incroyables wore extravagant costumes.

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  Furniture and objects in the Directory style.

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  Paul Barras in the ceremonial dress of a Director.

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  Louis Marie de La Révellière-Lépeaux, one of the directors.

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  Jean-François Rewbell, another director.

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  Étienne-François Le Tourneur, a director.

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  Lazare Carnot, a brilliant organizer but not a good politician.

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  Imaginary view of the gallery of the Louvre as a ruin, by Hubert Robert (1796).

See also

In Spanish: Directorio (Francia) para niños