The French Revolution: The Rule of the Directory

The Thermidorian Reaction and the New Constitution

• The Fall of the Jacobins: The extreme policies of the Jacobins led to their downfall. The wealthier middle classes seized power.

• The New Constitution (1795): A new constitution was introduced which denied the vote to non-propertied sections of society. This was a reversal of the universal male suffrage granted by the Jacobins.

• Establishment of the Legislative Councils: The new constitution provided for two elected Legislative Councils.

• Appointment of the Directory: These Councils, in turn, appointed a five-member executive called the Directory.

The Directory: An Unstable Executive

The Directory was intended to prevent the concentration of power in one single person, as had happened under Robespierre. However, the system soon proved to be deeply flawed and politically unstable.

• Conflict with the Councils: The Directors often clashed with the Legislative Councils, who sought to dismiss them.

• Political Instability: The political instability and constant friction within the Directory paved the way for the rise of a military dictator.

• The Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte: Frequent changes in government and political vacuum allowed the military to assert its dominance. This led directly to the ascendancy of Napoleon Bonaparte, who would eventually seize control of France.

The Legacy of the Revolution: Ideals of Freedom

Despite the instability of the Directory, the ideals of the French Revolution—liberty, equality, and fraternity—remained powerful forces.

• Impact on the 19th Century: These ideals inspired political movements throughout the 19th century, not just in Europe but also in other parts of the world.

• Rise of the Bourgeoisie: The shift in power throughout the revolution ensured the dominance of the propertied classes, particularly the educated bourgeoisie.

• End of Feudalism: Most importantly, the revolution had succeeded in permanently abolishing feudalism and the privileges of the clergy and nobility, fundamentally altering French society.

The Directory, therefore, served as a weak and transitional government that ultimately failed to stabilise the Republic, creating the perfect opportunity for Napoleon to step in and end the revolutionary decade.

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