Revolução Francesa: diretório

Summary

This video discusses the Directory, the third phase of the French Revolution, where the government was dominated by the bourgeoisie and led by the Girondins. It details the fall of the Jacobins and the revocation of popular measures such as price controls, land reforms, and universal suffrage. The Directory faces threats from both the left (Jacobins) and the far-right (nobility, monarchy, and clergy), as well as external pressure from monarchies like England. Ultimately, the Directory calls on Napoleon Bonaparte to solve its problems, leading to his rise to power through the coup of 18 Brumaire.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Directory was the third stage of the French Revolution, led by the bourgeoisie, specifically the Girondins.
• 😀 The Directory was established after the Girondins overthrew the Jacobins, who were supported by the lower bourgeoisie and the popular classes.
• 😀 The Directory eliminated the Jacobins and engaged in what was known as the 'White Terror,' targeting their political opposition.
• 😀 Under the Directory, many progressive measures from the Jacobin-led government, like price freezes, land reforms, and free public education, were revoked.
• 😀 The Directory introduced a constitution that allowed universal suffrage, which was later repealed, favoring the interests of the bourgeoisie.
• 😀 The Directory faced threats from both the left-wing Jacobins and the right-wing groups such as the aristocracy, nobility, and clergy.
• 😀 The royalists and conservative factions in France, including the monarchy and church, wanted to overthrow the Directory.
• 😀 External threats to the Directory came from absolute monarchies and liberal monarchies, particularly England, who saw the Directory as a growing economic rival.
• 😀 England, despite being a liberal monarchy, wanted to prevent France’s rise as an industrial and economic power.
• 😀 Napoleon Bonaparte, the military commander, was called in by the Directory to resolve these internal and external threats, eventually overthrowing the Directory in the 18th Brumaire coup, and assuming power.

Q & A

What was the 'Directory' in the context of the French Revolution?

The Directory was the third phase of the French Revolution, representing a government led by the bourgeoisie, specifically the Girondins. It came after the fall of the Jacobins, who had been a radical faction during the National Convention.

Who were the Girondins, and what role did they play in the Directory?

The Girondins were members of the bourgeoisie who took power during the Directory. They were responsible for overthrowing the Jacobins, who had more radical left-wing views and support from the lower classes.

What was the 'White Terror' under the Directory?

The White Terror refers to the persecution and elimination of the Jacobins by the Girondins. It was a period of violent repression against the former radicals, as the new government sought to eliminate their influence.

What significant measures did the Directory revoke from the previous government?

The Directory revoked several key measures established by the Jacobins, such as price controls, land reforms, public education, and the universal voting system. These were policies that had supported the lower classes and were seen as too radical by the Girondins.

What were the main threats to the Directory's rule?

The Directory faced threats from both the left-wing Jacobins and the right-wing conservatives, such as the monarchy, nobility, and clergy. It also faced external threats from absolutist monarchies who opposed the revolutionary government.

Why did the Directory need to seek external help?

The Directory was struggling to maintain control amidst internal division and external threats. They sought help from Napoleon Bonaparte, a prominent military commander, to stabilize the situation.

What was the significance of Napoleon Bonaparte in the fall of the Directory?

Napoleon Bonaparte played a pivotal role in the fall of the Directory by staging a coup known as the 18th Brumaire. He overthrew the Directory and assumed power, claiming to resolve the issues that the Directory could not address.

Why did monarchies, like England, oppose the Directory despite its bourgeois nature?

Even though the Directory represented a bourgeois government, monarchies, particularly England, saw it as a threat. The rise of liberalism in France, which could boost its economy and industrialization, made France a direct competitor to England, which was already a leading economic power.

What role did the class struggle play in the political dynamics of the Directory?

The Directory was essentially a struggle between the bourgeoisie and the lower classes. The Girondins, representing the bourgeoisie, reversed many popular policies from the Jacobins that had supported the working classes, such as land reforms and social welfare measures.

How did the Directory's internal and external struggles lead to Napoleon's rise?

The Directory's inability to manage internal unrest and external military threats led to instability. Napoleon, as a popular military leader, was seen as a solution to these problems. His coup allowed him to consolidate power and effectively end the Directory's rule.