Why France experienced political instability under the rule of directory
Answers
The following are the reasons to explain why France underwent political vulnerability under the rule of the directory:
1. The Directory was constantly at conflict with external coalitions and faced various European powers such as Britain, Prussia, Austria, Russia, Kingdom of Naples and Ottoman Empire etc.
2. The French economy during this time faced an economic crisis. To recover the economy, the Directory hindered printing assignats and recovered the value of the capital, but this created a new crisis; rates and wages declined, and commercial activity reduced to a standstill. This led to domestic upheaval in France.
Answer: After the fall of Jacobin government, the wealthy middle class seized power. A new constitution was introduced which provided for two elected legislative councils. These then appointed a Directory, an executive made up of 5 members. This was meant as a safeguard as a concentration of power in a one man executive as was under Jacobin. However, the Directors often clashed with the legislative councils, who then threatened to dismiss them. This led to political instability in France which finally led to rise of a military dictator , Napoleon Bonaparte.