The French Directory, or Directorate (French: le Directoire), was the government of France from 2 November 1795 until 9 November 1799, a period that spanned the last four years of the French Revolution (1789-1799). The Directory was unpopular, despite military successes, and faced economic crises and social unrest. It was ultimately toppled in the Coup of 18 Brumaire.
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Definition
Timeline
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Aug 1795The French Constitution of Year III is adopted, laying the groundwork for the French Directory.
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2 Nov 1795The French Directory is inaugurated.
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19 Feb 1796The assignat currency is discontinued in Revolutionary France; replaced with the mandat.
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27 Feb 1796General Bonaparte closes the Pantheon Club.
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10 May 1796The Conspiracy of Equals is uncovered; Gracchus Babeuf and his compatriots are arrested.
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Mar 1797 - Apr 1797Royalists gain a foothold in the French Directory during its first elections.
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27 May 1797Gracchus Babeuf and Augustin-Alexandre Darthé are guillotined.
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4 Sep 1797The bloodless Coup of 18 Fructidor Year V purges royalists from the Directory and paves the way for a Jacobin resurgence.
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17 Oct 1797Austria and France sign the Treaty of Campo Formio, ending the War of the First Coalition.
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9 Nov 1799Napoleon Bonaparte takes control of the government in the Coup of 18 Brumaire; both the Directory and the French Revolution are ended.
