Impact of Napoleon

• Napoleon was able to establish himself as a military genius due to the Egyptian and Italian campaigns.

  • Improved army organisation in Italy.
  • Numerous battalions
  • Living off the land, improved speed.
• Preface for the Coup of Brumaire (November 1799) -

  • Sieyes didn't support the 1795 constitution
  • Sieyes saw an opportunity to grow his power
  • With Napoleon's return from Egypt, the rise of peaceful royalist faction was gaining strength.
• What state was the directory in by the Coup of Brumaire (1799)?

  • Unpopular, with little authority, fear of jacobins and royalists.
  • Economy was dire, widespread unemployment
  • Bourgeoisie wanted internal security, motivated to support coup.
• EVENTS OF THE COUP OF BRUMAIRE (1799)-

  • 6000 troops moved to Saint Cloud, persuaded which was a ploy.
  • Sieyes and other members resigned.
  • Napoleon thought coup would be easily suppressed.
  • Lucien aided in appointment of 3 consuls to run the government until the new constitution.
  • Directory government ended, Sieyes thought that he could use Napoleon.
• CHAIN OF POWER

  1. 1795 - 5 Directors
  2. 1799 - 3 Consuls
  3. 1802 - 3 Consuls, 1st for life
  4. 1804 - 1 Emperor
• Initial Changes and Developments:

  • Napoleon filled the senate with his supporters.
  • Changes from the Coup of Brumaire (1799) didn't stay.
  • January 1801 - Napoleon was blocking the legislative and tribunate body using senatus consultum.
• Changes from 1802:

  • Opposition to laws in 1802
  • Napoleon purged the senate, tribunate and legislative body
  • Voting qualification altered, power political power for notables
• Following Empire Proclamation:

  • 1810 - Tribunate abolished entirely
  • 1813 - Last Legislative body meeting
• After the Constitution of Year VIII:

  • First steps of Napoleon's power consolidation
  • Feared opposition
  • Authority secured through Consul for Life role in 1802
  • Became Emperor in 1804
• YEAR VIII (1799) CONSTITUTION...

  • French consulate established
  • 3 Consuls given executive authority
  • Women's rights curtailed
  • Abolished political parties and restricted freedom of speech and press
• YEAR XII CONSTITUTION (1804)...

  • Repealed in 1814
  • Established House of Bonaparte
• YEAR X CONSTITUTION (1802)...

  • Napoleon made First Consul for Life
  • Repealed 1804
  • Helped establish First French Empire