France in 1799

In 1799, France had experienced a decade of revolution, political upheaval and war. The king had been executed, and the period known as the Reign of Terror had brought widespread violence. The government led by five directors was struggling to win public trust. Many people wanted greater stability. Napoleon Bonaparte was a successful and popular army general. He returned to France after a military campaign in Egypt. On 9 November 1799, known in the French Revolutionary calendar as 18 Brumaire, Napoleon and his supporters acted against the five-director government. His brother Lucien helped persuade lawmakers to transfer power. Soldiers surrounded the meeting place at Saint-Cloud, outside Paris. Some lawmakers resisted, but the government was soon removed. A new government, the Consulate, replaced the former government. Napoleon became First Consul. Although there were two other consuls, Napoleon held the greatest influence. In 1804, he became Emperor of France. This sudden seizure of government power is called a coup. The coup of 18 Brumaire was organised by political and military leaders, rather than being a popular uprising. Historians debate whether Napoleon’s rise ended the French Revolution or changed its direction. He concentrated political power in his own hands, while some revolutionary principles, such as equality before the law and advancement based on ability, continued to influence France.