How successful was the Directory in solving the problems facing France between 1795-1799? Flashcards
context
CFJ
did they fulfil the aims the enlightenment, long term vs short term, fundamental vs rudimental
judgement
in the short term the directory was very successful in solving the problems facing France as they achieved stability and their checks and measures prevented a dictatorship from forming. However their methods of achieving such stability meant that no matter what they did they foundation that built their government up form would always be shaky
war : point
the directory presided over a period of successful conquests (so that by 1798 Britain was frances sole enemy)
war : evidence
creation of sister republic
helvetic 1798
litgurian 1798
contributions to a brief period of political stability and support at home
war : eval
encouraged greater reliance on army
however there was growing discontent with the continuation of war and fear of a return to the terror
defeat of the 1st coalition allowed napoleons ascent to power
independently negotiated the campo formio treaty
imposed control over the sisiter republic
his actions triggered the war of the 2nd coalition
war : interim judgement
In the short term the directory was successful in solving the issues of the war as they ended the war of the first coalition which had presided over all the prior revolutionary governments. However they heavy reliance on the army proved to create a longer lasting impact than their successes at war did, eventually leading to the war of the 2nd coalitions and their demise
financial/ economic crisis : point
the directory were able to achieve financial and economic stability and break the curse of crisis passed down from prior governments
financial/ economic crisis: evidence
there was a return to some sort of financial stability
budget balanced by 1797 (first time since 1989)
bankruptcy og ⅔ rds wrote of using government bonds
1798 taxation reforms
direct and indirect taxations
financial/ economic crisis : eval
failures in currency reform
bankruptcy of ⅔ and forced loans created financially instability as it isolated and upset the bourgeois
finance remained on a precarious footing. the directory never satisfactorily solved the economic problems or passed popular and laosting financial reforms
also depended on short term gains from war
financial/ economic crisis : interim judgement
By balancing the budget for the first time since the ancien regime the revolutionary government fulfilled the aims of the revolution and enlightenment by …… however in doing so they ostracised and isolated the bourgeoisie class. this went against the aims of the enlightenment and was generally unpopular and unsuccessful
threats from both sides of the political spectrum: point
the directory was successful in curbing threats from all sides of the political spectrum and establishing stability
threats from both sides of the political spectrum: evidence
prevented a royalist resurgence
law of 2/3s
2/3rd had be have sat in previous government
cheeks and balances in constitution of year III
short term of office
annuel elections
leads to instability
curbing the chouan, taking actions against emigres and preventing royalist dominance in the council through the coup of fructidor (1797)
vendemiaire 1795
curbed the jacobin and left wing threat
law of 2/3rds
checks and balances in the constitution of year III
banned political meeting
voting nade indirect and based on tax/property qualifications
defeat of the babeuf plot (1796)
coup of floreal (1798)
coup of prairial (1798)
threats from both sides of the political spectrum: eval
only achieved through reliance on orthodox measures and the army which undermined democracy
threats and growth in royalism and extremism across the time frame
threats from both sides of the political spectrum: interim judgement
the directory was successful in establish peace and stability during government by curbing all powers of the oppositions but the laborious nature of government made it very sussuipate to a take down form within
legacy of the terror : point
the legacy of the terror followed the directory and meant they had to be quite moderate in approach in order to survive
legacy of the terror: evidence
universal male suffrage
not dictator by pressure from below
vendemiaire
separation of powers
reinstate religious toleration
give the impression that they are returning to the principles of the revolution
lockean in its approach, return to 1789
legacy of the terror : eval
establishment of the directory helped end the terror and the white terror, the directory was committed to restoring rule of law
stated in constitution of year III which attached the DM
elections were indirect
purges of the party
isolate bourgeoisie interest especially after 1797
taxation, bankruptcy , law of ⅔
however they used unconstitutional and unorthodox measures to solve its problems
directorial terror after the coup of fructidor
attack on church
interference in election results
reliance on army
venimere, fructidor, use of marshall law in provinces
emergency wartime measures in reaction to the war of the 2nd coalition (1799)
reliance on military to control society
legacy of the terror : interim judgement
the heavy reliance on the army meant the the directory could never fully escape from the legacy of the terror as it seemed as though they were going down the same route of repression, however they did manage to return to the main aims of the 1789 revolution
