The Coup of 18 Brumaire: Napoleon Bonaparte’s Rise to Power

On November 9, 1799, corresponding to 18 Brumaire, Year VIII in the French Revolutionary Calendar, Napoleon Bonaparte orchestrated a coup d’état that dramatically altered the course of French history. This event marked the end of the French Revolution and the beginning of Napoleon’s ascent to power, establishing the French Consulate.

Context Leading to the Coup

The French Revolution, which began in 1789, had led to the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of the French Republic. However, by the late 1790s, the revolutionary government, known as the Directory, was plagued by corruption, inefficiency, and political instability. France was also embroiled in ongoing wars with various European coalitions, which further strained the government.

Napoleon Bonaparte, a successful and popular military general, had gained significant influence and prestige through his campaigns in Italy and Egypt. Recognizing the weaknesses of the Directory and the opportunity to seize power, Napoleon, along with key political allies, plotted to overthrow the government.

Key Events of the Coup

• November 9, 1799 (18 Brumaire, Year VIII): The coup began with a series of political maneuvers. Napoleon and his co-conspirators, including Emmanuel Sieyès and Roger Ducos, convinced the Council of Ancients, one of the legislative bodies of the Directory, to transfer the government to Saint-Cloud, a suburb of Paris, under the pretext of a Jacobin threat.

• November 10, 1799 (19 Brumaire, Year VIII): At Saint-Cloud, the coup reached its climax. Napoleon addressed the Council of Five Hundred, the other legislative body, but faced strong opposition. Amidst the chaos, his brother, Lucien Bonaparte, who was the president of the Council of Five Hundred, intervened. Lucien declared that armed forces were necessary to restore order, and Napoleon’s troops dispersed the council.

• Establishment of the Consulate: Following the dissolution of the Directory, a provisional government was established, known as the Consulate. Napoleon, Sieyès, and Ducos were appointed as the three provisional consuls, with Napoleon quickly emerging as the dominant figure.

Aftermath and Historical Significance

The Coup of 18 Brumaire effectively ended the French Revolution, as it dismantled the revolutionary government and paved the way for the rise of authoritarian rule under Napoleon. The Consulate, initially presented as a republican form of government, soon concentrated power in Napoleon’s hands. By 1804, Napoleon declared himself Emperor of the French, establishing the First French Empire.

The coup is often seen as a turning point in French history, marking the transition from revolutionary chaos to a period of relative stability under Napoleon’s rule. It also set a precedent for military involvement in politics, influencing future coups and revolutions in France and beyond.

In summary, the Coup of 18 Brumaire was a decisive moment that not only ended the French Revolution but also laid the foundation for Napoleon Bonaparte’s rise to imperial power, reshaping France and Europe in the years to come.