The Thermidorian Reaction VCurtailed the power of the Committee for Public Safety. VClosed the Jacobin Clubs. VChurches were reopened freedom of worship for all cults was granted freedom of worship for all cults was granted. VEconomic restrictions were lifted in favor of laissez-faire policies. VAugust, 1795 a new Constitution is written more conservative republicanism. more conservative republicanism.

Characteristics of the Directory VThe Paris Commune was outlawed. VThe Law of 22 Prairial was revoked. VPeople involved in the original Terror were now attacked White Terror VInflation continues. VRule by rich bourgeois liberals. VSelf-indulgence frivolous culture; salons return; wild fashions. VPolitical corruption. VRevival of Catholicism.

The Government Structure of the New Directory V5-man executive committee or oligarchy [to avoid a dictatorship]. VTried to avoid the dangers of a one-house legislature. Council of 500 initiates legislation. Council of 500 initiates legislation. Council of Elders [250 members] married or widowed males over 40 years of age. Council of Elders [250 members] married or widowed males over 40 years of age. o They accepted or rejected the legislation. Both houses elected by electors who owned or rented property worth days labor [limited to 30,000 voters]. Both houses elected by electors who owned or rented property worth days labor [limited to 30,000 voters]. The electors were elected by all males over 21 who were taxpayers. The electors were elected by all males over 21 who were taxpayers.

Political Instability: April, 1795 Inflation; bread riots. April, 1795 Inflation; bread riots. May 20, 1795 Revolt of Prairial [Year III] May 20, 1795 Revolt of Prairial [Year III] June 1795 Treaty of Basel June 1795 Treaty of Basel Peace between France, Spain and Prussia May, 1796 First communist revolt May, 1796 First communist revolt Gracchus Babeuf and the Conspiracy of Equals Gracchus Babeuf and the Conspiracy of Equals

18 Brumaire (Nov. 9, 1799) Coup détat by Napoleon. Coup détat by Napoleon. Approved by a plebiscite in December. Approved by a plebiscite in December. Abbe Sieyès: Confidence from below; authority from above. Abbe Sieyès: Confidence from below; authority from above.

A British Cartoon about Napoleons Coup in 1799

Read More About the Revolution

Bibliographic Resources Hist210Europe in the Age of Revolutions. chron/rch5.htm Hist210Europe in the Age of Revolutions. chron/rch5.htm chron/rch5.htm chron/rch5.htm Liberty, Fraternity, Equality: Exploring the French Revolution. Liberty, Fraternity, Equality: Exploring the French Revolution. Matthews, Andrew. Revolution and Reaction: Europe, Cambridge University Press, Matthews, Andrew. Revolution and Reaction: Europe, Cambridge University Press, The Napoleonic Guide. The Napoleonic Guide.