Question

Write a short note on the Directory.

Answer 1

After the fall of Robespierre's government, the wealthier middle classes came forward to seize power.

A new constitution was introduced which denied the vote to non-propertied sections of the society. It provided for two elected legislative councils.

These then appointed a Directory, an executive made up of five members.

This was meant as a safeguard against the concentration of power in a one man executive as under the Jacobins.

However, the Directors often clashed with the legislative councils, who then sought to dismiss them.

Thus, the Directory became the victim of political instability which paved the way for the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte.