Coup of 18 Brumaire

• The Coup of 18 Brumaire takes place in France.
• Napoleon Bonaparte seizes power in a coup d'état.
• The Directory is overthrown by Napoleon's forces.
• Napoleon establishes the Consulate, becoming First Consul.
• The legislative bodies are dissolved or restructured.

The Coup of 18 Brumaire (9 November 1799) marked a significant shift in the trajectory of the French Revolution. This event saw the overthrow of the French Directory and the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte to power. The Directory, established in 1795, faced considerable challenges, including financial instability, political corruption, and internal dissent. Several of its policies failed to stabilize France, leading to widespread disillusionment among the populace.

By late 1799, the political situation had become increasingly fractious. Emmanuel-Joseph Sieyès, a prominent political figure and one of the directors, sought a solution to the chaos. He believed a strong executive was needed to restore order. Sieyès found a potential ally in Napoleon Bonaparte, who was a successful and popular general at the time. Bonaparte had achieved considerable military acclaim from his campaigns in Italy and Egypt, making him a suitable candidate to lead the coup.

The coup was executed with military precision. On 18 Brumaire, General Bonaparte and his brother Lucien (who was the President of the Council of Five Hundred) orchestrated the ousting of the Directory. Troops loyal to Bonaparte occupied key locations in Paris, effectively neutralizing any resistance from the government. When members of the Council of Five Hundred began to show opposition, Lucien Bonaparte intervened, claiming his life was in danger, which justified the use of force to disperse the assembly.

Following the coup, the Directory was dissolved, and a new political structure was established—the Consulate. The constitution of the Year VIII was swiftly adopted, concentrating executive power in the hands of three consuls, with Napoleon as the First Consul. This new government retained the appearance of a republic, but in practice, it granted Bonaparte significant control over the state machinery. The Consulate paved the way for Napoleon's eventual declaration as Emperor in 1804, marking the end of the revolutionary period and the beginning of the Napoleonic Era.

The Coup of 18 Brumaire is often cited as the ending point of the French Revolution, as it signaled a shift from the revolutionary ideals of democracy and republicanism towards authoritarian governance. The event demonstrated the fragility of the revolutionary government and underscored the populace's readiness to accept strong leadership to ensure stability and order.

• The Coup of 18 Brumaire occurred on 9 November 1799, marking the end of the French Revolution and paving the way for Napoleon Bonaparte's rise to power.
• This coup was orchestrated under the pretext of protecting the directory against a supposed royalist uprising, but it was actually a power grab by Bonaparte and his allies.
• The name 'Brumaire' comes from the French Revolutionary calendar, which was created during this period; 18 Brumaire corresponds to the month of November in the Gregorian calendar.
• The coup resulted in the establishment of the Consulate, effectively ending the Directory and leading to Bonaparte becoming the First Consul of France, consolidating his control over the government.
• Few people know that the coup was supported by a calculated campaign of propaganda, portraying Bonaparte as a national savior, which significantly bolstered his popularity and legitimacy.