(CIEHistory9389) What caused Napoleon's rise to power?
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Unit 2 - Outline study (9389)
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CIE
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Cambridge International AS Level International History 1871-1945
This document answers the question "The failings of the Directory explain Napoleon’s rise to power. How far do you agree?"
Cambridge International AS/A Level – May/June 2017
European Option: Modern Europe,
France, 1789–1814
Syllabus 9389
Paper 21
cambridge international as and a level history 9389
napoleons rise to power
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The failings of the Directory explain Napoleon’s rise to power. How far do
you agree?
Cambridge International AS/A Level – May/June 2017
European Option: Modern Europe, 1789-1917
Syllabus 9389
Paper 21
The failings of the Directory can be seen as one of the main reasons for Napoleon’s rise to
power in 1799. The Directory was set up in 1795 and was a 5 member committee. It
governed France for four years until Napoleon overthrew it. The French economy was
continually at crisis during the time the Directory was in power. There was a lack of currency
and the treasury was bankrupt during the start of its rule. They stopped printing assignats,
the currency of the day, which caused prices to rise and wages to fall leading to a downturn
in the French economy. They also were unable to control religious conflicts throughout
France. The four years of their rule was a time of constant upheaval and problems with law
and order. The French people were tired of being forced to pay taxes to help France fight in
the many futile expensive foreign wars. By 1799 the people had lost trust in the Directory as
they believed that it was inefficient and corrupt. This is due to the directory fixing the
elections to favour themselves. Moreover, the Directory lost a lot of popularity with the
people of France as it had previously failed in several foreign campaigns. Due to this it was
seen as extremely weak this gave Napoleon the perfect moment to overthrow the Directory
and take power for himself.
Napoleon’s political connections were also a key reason that helped him rise to power in
1799. He had many connections and close personal relationships with leaders and key
figures involved in the Revolution. Due to this he was brought closer to politicians and
revolutionary leaders such as Robespierre, and Barras who was a director. As he got to know
them, it allowed him to find ways to exploit their weaknesses and introduce him into the
political world which helped his rise to power. Furthermore, Napoleon also learned new
skills of organising and addressing political meetings which helped him become a more able
politician who could control his people. He learned these skills from his connections that
made him attend most revolutionary rallies. His association with powerful leaders and
people won him support from Abbey Sieyes, a successful General in the army, member of
the clergy and member of the directory. Abbey Sieyes would later become pivotal in helping
Napoleon. The military coup of 1799 would bring an end Directory and an end to the ten
long years of revolution.
Napoleon’s pure luck should not be overlooked in his rise to power. Napoleon was born on
the Mediterranean island of Corsica. The island was previously governed by Italy but a year
before Napoleon’s birth was annexed to France. This therefore allowed him to be a
Frenchman by birth and set him on course to being a general in the French army.
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