John Leopold’s Legacy of Empire, Chapter III:
… The revolutionary fervor that had gripped France was shown to be not yet satiated with the blood of a Bourbon and the Jacobins. The corrupt Directory collapsed when pressured by Sieyes and Bonaparte. Three separate plots were intertwined with the overthrow of Barras’ and his counterparts:
First and foremost was that of Sieyes. The priest’s grand design saw him controlling a semi-republican government from behind the scenes. The only issue was finding a hero of the masses that could, in one smooth motion, sweep away the directory and allay tensions for a stable regime to take root. He had to be a somewhat pure figure, not yet tarnished by the politics of Paris. General Joubert was the ideal candidate, though his death in the field against Suvorov quickly led Sieyes to a new pool of candidates. The obvious choice was then the popular Hero of Italy, Bonaparte. The general would use his soldiers to force the resignation of the Directors, and then persuade the Council of Ancients and of the Five-Hundred to proclaim a consulate. Sieyes’ coup was simple but effective; perhaps it was its chance for success that blinded the priest from the ambition of his chosen ‘partner.’
The second plot was more of a “coup within a coup.” Trying to control Napoleon Bonaparte was like trying to control a force of Nature- a fact Sieyes was too late in realizing. Bonaparte, along with Desaix, Davout, and Murat orchestrated his own internal takeover as power slipped from the Directory. Based on the power of the military and the support of the people, Bonaparte did exactly as Sieyes planned, save, with his own design implemented. General Murat whipped up resentment against the Directory, while Davout seized all the depots and military fortifications around Paris in the name of safety and isolating the Paris Riots. The legislators saw the rioting and fell right into Bonaparte’s hands. From there it was a short road to the Orangerie where Sieyes along Bonaparte usurped control, and installed the consulate.
The Paris Riots of 1799 was doomed to failure the moment they were incited, though the ramifications of the blood-letting would be felt later. Murat was ordered to put down the rioting the moment the legislators were outside Paris. To his surprise, the rioting citizens had assembled coordinated leadership. Pierre-Antoine Antonelle was declared to be at the helm of the “Noveau-Revolution,” brought to Paris by a ring of ultra-radical Jacobins ready to lay their lives aside for the cause. The rioters did not make it far before Murat’s ferocious attack sent the rioters running. The radical Jacobins in most cases fought to the death, but the initially dubious Antonelle made sure he was out of the city the moment Murat applied pressure. There was, however, before the inglorious fall a proclamation circulated by the rioters. Ignored for years, the Declaration of Antonelle and the People of Paris was only noticed later by one Count of Saint-Simon…
X-X
This format while follow each chapter to sort of summarize the events and flesh a bit more out. An ornate summary of sorts.
I appreciate the observation, cimon, I truly do.
I also appreciate the support for the turtledove awards, and want to thank everyone who participated, that means a lot to me.
Also, I am trying to update this somewhat frequently, hopefully too much time will not pass between each post.
… The revolutionary fervor that had gripped France was shown to be not yet satiated with the blood of a Bourbon and the Jacobins. The corrupt Directory collapsed when pressured by Sieyes and Bonaparte. Three separate plots were intertwined with the overthrow of Barras’ and his counterparts:
First and foremost was that of Sieyes. The priest’s grand design saw him controlling a semi-republican government from behind the scenes. The only issue was finding a hero of the masses that could, in one smooth motion, sweep away the directory and allay tensions for a stable regime to take root. He had to be a somewhat pure figure, not yet tarnished by the politics of Paris. General Joubert was the ideal candidate, though his death in the field against Suvorov quickly led Sieyes to a new pool of candidates. The obvious choice was then the popular Hero of Italy, Bonaparte. The general would use his soldiers to force the resignation of the Directors, and then persuade the Council of Ancients and of the Five-Hundred to proclaim a consulate. Sieyes’ coup was simple but effective; perhaps it was its chance for success that blinded the priest from the ambition of his chosen ‘partner.’
The second plot was more of a “coup within a coup.” Trying to control Napoleon Bonaparte was like trying to control a force of Nature- a fact Sieyes was too late in realizing. Bonaparte, along with Desaix, Davout, and Murat orchestrated his own internal takeover as power slipped from the Directory. Based on the power of the military and the support of the people, Bonaparte did exactly as Sieyes planned, save, with his own design implemented. General Murat whipped up resentment against the Directory, while Davout seized all the depots and military fortifications around Paris in the name of safety and isolating the Paris Riots. The legislators saw the rioting and fell right into Bonaparte’s hands. From there it was a short road to the Orangerie where Sieyes along Bonaparte usurped control, and installed the consulate.
The Paris Riots of 1799 was doomed to failure the moment they were incited, though the ramifications of the blood-letting would be felt later. Murat was ordered to put down the rioting the moment the legislators were outside Paris. To his surprise, the rioting citizens had assembled coordinated leadership. Pierre-Antoine Antonelle was declared to be at the helm of the “Noveau-Revolution,” brought to Paris by a ring of ultra-radical Jacobins ready to lay their lives aside for the cause. The rioters did not make it far before Murat’s ferocious attack sent the rioters running. The radical Jacobins in most cases fought to the death, but the initially dubious Antonelle made sure he was out of the city the moment Murat applied pressure. There was, however, before the inglorious fall a proclamation circulated by the rioters. Ignored for years, the Declaration of Antonelle and the People of Paris was only noticed later by one Count of Saint-Simon…
X-X
This format while follow each chapter to sort of summarize the events and flesh a bit more out. An ornate summary of sorts.
I appreciate the observation, cimon, I truly do.
I also appreciate the support for the turtledove awards, and want to thank everyone who participated, that means a lot to me.
Also, I am trying to update this somewhat frequently, hopefully too much time will not pass between each post.
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