‘The ideas of the Revolution were ignored by the Directory.
Level
AS LEVEL
Year Examined
2021
Topic
France, 1774–1814
👑Complete Model Essay
‘The ideas of the Revolution were ignored by the Directory.
The Directory and the Ideas of the Revolution
The French Revolution, a period of immense social and political upheaval, left an indelible mark on France and the world. Following the tumultuous years of the Terror, the Directory emerged in 1795, tasked with steering the nation towards stability and realizing the Revolution's lofty ideals. However, the extent to which the Directory truly upheld these ideals remains a subject of debate. While some historians argue that the Directory abandoned the principles of 1789, others contend that it, in fact, made significant strides in solidifying and advancing key revolutionary tenets.
Arguments for Abandoning Revolutionary Ideals
Critics of the Directory point to several pieces of evidence that suggest a departure from the Revolution's core values. The Constitution of 1795, while establishing the Directory, also granted it significant emergency powers, including the ability to restrict press freedom and freedom of assembly. These measures, reminiscent of the absolutist Ancien Régime, directly contradicted the revolutionary emphasis on individual liberties enshrined in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. Furthermore, the Directory's tenure was marred by persistent coups and attempted power grabs, which arguably shifted its focus towards self-preservation rather than advancing the Revolution's broader societal goals.
The Directory's blatant manipulation of electoral processes also raised concerns about its commitment to democratic principles. In 1797, it nullified election results in 49 departments and excluded 177 deputies, demonstrating a disregard for popular sovereignty. This pattern repeated in 1799 when the Directory attempted to install its preferred candidates, further undermining the principles of representative government that had been so fiercely fought for during the Revolution. The suppression of political parties and the subsequent exclusion of experienced political actors from the government further eroded the Directory's revolutionary legitimacy. This shift towards inexperienced leadership, operating under vaguely defined principles, suggested a departure from the revolutionary spirit.
Arguments for Upholding Revolutionary Ideals
However, proponents of the Directory argue that it did make significant efforts to build upon the achievements of the Revolution. The Constitution of 1795 itself, despite its limitations, established a franchise based on tax payments, mirroring the 1791 Constitution and reflecting the revolutionary commitment to a more representative government (albeit with property qualifications). The Directory oversaw yearly elections and implemented the secret ballot, both significant steps towards a more democratic system, fulfilling the mandates of the Constitution and aligning with the Revolution's goals. Notably, the French franchise at this time was considerably more inclusive than those of its European counterparts, such as Britain and the Netherlands.
Beyond political reforms, the Directory also made strides in promoting economic prosperity and security, core objectives of the Revolution. Despite inheriting a nation ravaged by internal strife and external threats, the Directory, by 1799, had managed to not only maintain but also, in some sectors, improve the French economy. This focus on economic well-being resonated with the grievances of the Third Estate, whose struggles under the burden of unfair taxation and economic disparity had been a driving force behind the revolution. Furthermore, the Directory's commitment to a free press, despite its occasional limitations, demonstrated a degree of tolerance for dissenting voices.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the question of whether the Directory abandoned the ideas of the Revolution does not lend itself to a simple answer. While the Directory's authoritarian tendencies, electoral manipulation, and curtailment of certain freedoms suggest a departure from some revolutionary principles, its efforts to establish a functioning representative system, expand suffrage, and foster economic growth indicate an adherence to others. Ultimately, the Directory's legacy is one of complexity. It represented a period of transition, attempting to reconcile the idealism of the Revolution with the practical challenges of governing a nation in turmoil. While it undoubtedly fell short of fully realizing the revolutionary vision, it would be inaccurate to claim a complete abandonment of its ideals.
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Outline for A Level History Essay: The Directory and the Ideas of the Revolution
This essay will examine the extent to which the Directory ignored the ideas of the French Revolution. It will argue that while the Directory did take actions that contradicted revolutionary ideals, it also made significant efforts to uphold and build upon them.
Arguments in Support of the Directory Ignoring Revolutionary Ideas:
1. Suppression of Freedoms and Democratic Principles:
The Constitution of 1795 provided the Directory with emergency powers, leading to restrictions on press freedom and freedom of association. This resembled the repressive measures of the Ancien Regime, contradicting the Revolution's emphasis on liberty.
2. Focus on Political Survival and Coup d'Etats:
The Directory's constant struggle against coups undermined its authority and suggested a preoccupation with political survival at the expense of upholding revolutionary ideals. The Directory's lackluster response to the 1799 coup further suggests that they may have seen it as a mere cosmetic change rather than a betrayal of the Revolution.
3. Anti-Democratic Actions and Manipulation of Elections:
The Directory's nullification of elections in 1797 and its attempt to impose hand-picked candidates in 1799 demonstrated a blatant disregard for democratic principles. These actions contradicted the spirit of the Revolution and its promotion of popular sovereignty.
4. Suppression of Political Activity:
The Directory's suppression of party activity, a key feature of the Revolution, led to the replacement of politically active individuals with inexperienced and relatively apolitical individuals. This shift towards a less defined set of principles suggests a deviation from the core ideas of the Revolution.
Arguments Against the Directory Ignoring Revolutionary Ideas:
1. Building Upon Revolutionary Achievements:
The Directory managed to build upon the major achievements of the early Revolution, such as the establishment of a broader franchise based on tax payment, similar to the 1791 Constitution.
2. Functionality of Democratic Institutions:
The Directory successfully implemented democratic institutions, such as yearly elections and the secret ballot, as mandated by the 1795 Constitution. This aligned with the Revolution's commitment to democratic principles.
3. Broader Franchise and Free Press:
The Directory's franchise was more extensive than that of neighboring countries like Britain and the Netherlands, and the press enjoyed a remarkable degree of freedom. These factors demonstrated a continued commitment to revolutionary ideals.
4. Economic Prosperity and Security:
Despite economic depression, the Directory managed to maintain and even increase French prosperity by 1799. This achievement aligned with the Revolution's goals of economic stability and security, which were key drivers of the 1789 Revolution.
Conclusion:
The essay will conclude by weighing the arguments and assessing the extent to which the Directory truly ignored the ideas of the Revolution. It will acknowledge the contradictions and challenges, but ultimately argue that the Directory made considerable efforts to uphold and build upon the Revolution's achievements, while facing significant challenges and pressures that ultimately led to its downfall.
Extracts from Mark Schemes
The Directory and the Ideas of the Revolution
“The ideas of the Revolution were ignored by the Directory.” To what extent do you agree with this statement? Arguments to support the view could be as follows.
Arguments Supporting the View
- The Constitution of 1795 gave the Directory emergency powers to curb press freedom and the freedom of association, more in line with the ‘Ancien Regime’ than the Revolution of 1789.
- The coups faced by the Directory undermined its authority and made it appear to be solely concerned with political survival as an end, rather than continuing the ideas of the Revolution.
- Thus, the lack of an initial response to the coup of 1799 may have been because many saw it as a cosmetic move by the Directory – Consuls instead of Directors.
- In 1797, the Directory nullified elections in 49 departments and excluded 177 deputies. This anti-democratic sentiment, which ran counter to the Revolution’s ideas, resurfaced in 1799 when the Directory attempted to impose its own hand-picked candidates.
- The suppression of party activity was an attack on the ideas of the Revolution. This meant that those who had previously been politically active were replaced by inexperienced and previously politically inactive people. They followed a more loosely defined set of principles which suggested that the Directory did ignore the ideas of the Revolution.
Arguments Challenging the View
The view can, however, be challenged. The Directory managed to build on the huge achievements of 1791–92, and the 1795 Constitution established a franchise based on the payment of taxes, similar to the 1791 Constitution. For a time, the Directory made democratic institutions work, such as yearly elections and the secret ballot, as required by the 1795 Constitution and in accordance with the Revolution’s democratic ideas (the secret ballot was not adopted by Britain until 1872). There franchise was far broader than that of their British or Dutch neighbours, and the press was remarkably free. All of this is in line with revolutionary ideas. Despite a general economic depression, the Directory was able to maintain, and in some areas, increase French prosperity by 1799. Economic prosperity and security were goals of the Revolution and, indeed, the desire to establish them could be said to have played a large part in bringing about the Revolution of 1789.
It is acceptable for responses to seek a definition of the ideas of the Revolution and use this as a template to organise their argument. Accept any other valid responses.