PRAIRIAL

• When was the coup of prairial?

  18th June 1798
• Confidence in the directory was at a low in 1799
• Both councils (five hundred and ancients) questioned war conduct.
• Complaints that Director Treillhard's election was illegal
• 29th Prairial - 17th June, Treillhard is replaced with a former Jacobin Minister, Gohier.
• Sieyes took advantage of Gohier replacement, proposed to enforce Council demands that two directors should step down.
• 18th June, directors resisted Sieyes call for two directors to stand down and Sieyes called General Joubert to move troops into the Capital.
• After Sieyes orders Joubert to move troops to the capital, resignations were given by the end of the day.
• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The councils forced a purge of directors, increasing divisions between groups.
• WHAT WAS THE RESULT OF THE PRAIRIAL COUP?

  • Directory was dependent on the army to maintain itself, election results being altered.
  • July 1799 - Sieyes introduces the law of hostages after fears of Jacobin sentiment in the councils
• What did Sieyes do in the fear of Jacobin sentiment in the councils - July 1799 Law of Hostages, local authorities allowed to take action against potential radicals and relied on localities attitudes.
• OVERRALL?

  • Government barely holding itself together after the Prairial coup, only a matter of time until the Brumaire coup in 1799 destroyed the directory.
• WHAT ORDER DID THE COUPS OCCUR IN?

  • Fructidor - September 1797
  • Floreal - May 1798
  • Prairial - June 1798