2c- Thermidorean Reaction and Directory Flashcards
(14 cards)
When and what was Germinal?
April 1795, a 10,000 strong rising. Reaction to inflation (end to price controls), poor harvest. Disrupts debate. Withdraw peacefully.
When and what was Prairial?
May 1795, armed. A Nat. Con. deputy killed. Decisive army intervention. Workers divided: 42 condemned to death. (End of sans-culotte power.)
What three things provoked the VENDEMIAIRE RISING?
Verona declaration (Comte de provenance) to reverse Rev. gains. Law of 2/3rds. Inflation and food shortages.
Impact of VENDEMIAIRE?
25,000 strong crowd: Directory reliance on Napoleon, ‘general vendeimiaire’, who appears strong and able.
Causes and outcomes of the coup of FRUCTIDOR, September 1797?
Monarchists won 180/260 contested seats (losing support of richer North). Army arrest 53 deputies, 2 directors (Carnot and Barthelemy) and cancel other elections. Directors more united, blow to royalism, shows despotism.
Causes and outcomes of the coup of FLOREAL, 1798?
Neo Jacobin revival. Annul election of 127 deputies (86 suspected Jacobins), and chose replacements.
Two military laws and their impact, 1798 to 1799?
Jourdan law, 1798, reintroduces conscription. Levee en masse, 1799, all men 20-25. Only 74,000 (of 230,000) reach the armies.
Economic overview of the Directory?
Inflation 1795-97 (unpopular with workers). Deflation 1797-99 (unpopular with bourgeoisie).
Outline the 1797 economic changes within the Directory.
The Assignat (at 1% of face value) is rejected in favour of bonds by Ravel. Deflation begins.
Two tax reforms
Land tax (direct), Octrois (ancien regime)
Three Constitutional weaknesses
- Yearly elections 2. Anciens can only approve/veto, not change bills. 3. Directory have no power over treasury.
What happened at the 1799 election, and why?
Only 66/187 government candidates returned due to unpopularity of Military laws.
3 general social reforms under the Directory?
Freedom of religion, abolished Rev Tribunal and Jacobin club, released Parisian suspects from prison.
3 examples of Terror
- Jeunessé dorée, Parisian youth, attack revolutionaries. 2. Vendee guerilla war (Chouan region), Hoché kills 700. 3. Virtual civil war in the Ardêche.