Week 3- The Constitution of the Directory Flashcards
When was the constitution drawn up by the Thermidorians?
August 1795
What did the constitution establish?
It created the directory in November 1795.
It reflected the desire for stability and moderation.
What did the directory consist of?
Directory of Five, Council of Five hundred and Council of Ancients
What was the Directory of Five?
5 directors would be chosen by the Ancients from a list provided by the Five Hundred.
The Directors formed the executive and appointed ministers.
What was the Council of Five Hundred?
Comprised of deputies aged 30+
Proposed and drew up all legislation but did not vote on it.
What was the Council of Ancients?
Comprised of 250 married or widowed men aged 40+
Examined and approved or rejected legislation but did not propose it.
How were elections structured?
Elections would take place annually
Electors comprised of those paying a certain sum in taxation.
This created an electorate of roughly a million.
5.5 of 8 million adult males could vote.
What checks and balances were there within the government?
A third of the deputies would step down each year.
What directors were there in the convention?
Lazare Carnot, Emmanuel-Joseph Sieyès, Pierre-Roger Ducos, Paul Barras
