Formation of the French Directory
The Directory is a revolutionary government which is lasted 4 years from November 1795 to November 1799. Included in this form of government was a bicameral legislature known as the Corps Législatif which was the first of its kind in French History. This form of government consisted of the lower house known as the Council of Five Hundred, and the Council of Ancients. It was the Council of Ancients that chose the 5 Directors. The Directors were the ones who chose government ministers, ambassadors, army generals, tax collectors, and other officials.
The Directory had failed mainly due to its widespread corruption. Its policies centered on protecting the positions of those who had supported the Revolution. Despite its reputation, it gave way towards many of the achievements of the National Convention, like the creation of a system of elite centralized schools, the grandes écoles. The French economy recovered from the disruption caused by the Terror, and the successes of the French armies laid the basis for the conquests of the Napoleonic period.
Aside from the creation of a Bicameral Legislature, the impact and significance of the French Directory was also that the Dutch Republic and Spain were defeated around this time and were made French Satellites.
The Key people during this time were Emmanuel-Joseph Sieyes who was a theorist and clergyman who maneuvered his way into the directory to aid Napoleon in taking control upon his return to Paris, and Napoleon Bonaparte, a young military genius who returned from Italy to France in October of 1799 and proceeded to become its military dictator for 15 years.
The rise and fall of the French Directory resulted in the rise to power of Napoleon Bonaparte, the repeal of freedom of press, and attempts to ban Christianity on a scale not seen again until the aftermath of the Bolshevik Revolution.
Sources:
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/165043/Directory
http://www.sparknotes.com/history/european/frenchrev/section6.rhtml
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stacrae/3003665696/
Researchers:
Katherine Faith Tan #27
Andree Tan #26
The Directory had failed mainly due to its widespread corruption. Its policies centered on protecting the positions of those who had supported the Revolution. Despite its reputation, it gave way towards many of the achievements of the National Convention, like the creation of a system of elite centralized schools, the grandes écoles. The French economy recovered from the disruption caused by the Terror, and the successes of the French armies laid the basis for the conquests of the Napoleonic period.
Aside from the creation of a Bicameral Legislature, the impact and significance of the French Directory was also that the Dutch Republic and Spain were defeated around this time and were made French Satellites.
The Key people during this time were Emmanuel-Joseph Sieyes who was a theorist and clergyman who maneuvered his way into the directory to aid Napoleon in taking control upon his return to Paris, and Napoleon Bonaparte, a young military genius who returned from Italy to France in October of 1799 and proceeded to become its military dictator for 15 years.
The rise and fall of the French Directory resulted in the rise to power of Napoleon Bonaparte, the repeal of freedom of press, and attempts to ban Christianity on a scale not seen again until the aftermath of the Bolshevik Revolution.
Sources:
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/165043/Directory
http://www.sparknotes.com/history/european/frenchrev/section6.rhtml
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stacrae/3003665696/
Researchers:
Katherine Faith Tan #27
Andree Tan #26