The Directory (1795-1799) was the government of France during the penultimate stage of the French Revolution. It consisted of a bicameral legislature – the Council of Five Hundred and the Council of Ancients – and a five-member executive body known as the Directors. It was established after the Thermidorian Reaction, which saw the downfall and execution of Maximilien Robespierre and the end of the Reign of Terror.
The Reign of Terror (1793-1794) was a period of intense political repression and violence during the French Revolution. Led by Maximilien Robespierre and the Committee of Public Safety, it aimed to eliminate enemies of the revolution and establish a republic of virtue. This period was characterized by mass executions, political purges, and a climate of fear.
| Feature | The Directory | The Reign of Terror |
|---|---|---|
| Time Period | 1795-1799 | 1793-1794 |
| Government Type | Bicameral legislature with a five-member executive | Committee of Public Safety led by Robespierre |
| Political Climate | More moderate, aimed at stability after the Terror | Extremely radical, characterized by fear and repression |
| Key Figures | Paul Barras, Jean-François Rewbell, Louis Marie de La Révellière-Lépeaux | Maximilien Robespierre, Louis Antoine de Saint-Just, Georges Danton |
| Methods | Attempted to establish a constitutional republic, but faced corruption and instability | Mass executions, Revolutionary Tribunal, Law of Suspects |
| Goals | To stabilize France after the Reign of Terror and prevent both royalist and Jacobin resurgence | To eliminate enemies of the revolution and establish a republic of virtue |
| End Result | Overthrown by Napoleon Bonaparte in the Coup of 18 Brumaire | Ended with the Thermidorian Reaction and the execution of Robespierre |
Please log in to post your answer.
Log InEarn 2 Points for answering. If your answer is selected as the best, you'll get +20 Points! 🚀