9. Brumaire--Fortune smiles on N. The existing government (The Directory) is terrible upon his return; change inevitable. He is ready to assume role of savior. During this period, as he planned the coup, he wrote no letters. At other times he averaged 15 letters per day. Talleyrand as opportunist. Hyperinflation in Paris. . . The coup takes place in November 1799; it is hardly flawless, and owed much to stagecraft. The Elders are deferential, but the Five Hundred (lower house) don't behave. They surround N., shout at him, calling him Tyrant and Cromwell. Tough moment. Napoleon beats a hasty retreat out of the assembly hall. . . . The army enters the hall and the deputies flee . . . There is a story of a dagger being thrust at N. that is probably apocryphal. N.'s brother swears he will kill N. if he isn't true to democratic principles of the revolution--all staged. Both houses dissolved; N. in power.
10. Consul--Napoleon presents himself as "completing the revolution.' He frees hostages; he encourages emigres to return; he mourns George Washington for 10 days; appoints Laplace--distinguished scientist--to high post. Not a soldier, but a leading reformer . . . New constitution with representative government acknowledging rights of PROPERTY, then equality and liberty--making France less threatening to business. N. knew that business was key to France's long-term economic health. . . Welcomes back defeated opposition figures, including royalists . . . more open to dissent . . . national unification. . . plebiscite to confirm legitimacy 99.9% yes. Fraud, naturally, and odd because the real vote would have been 90% or more. No need to cheat. . . propaganda by nature . . . no freedom of the press . . . centralized power and govt, unlike the 1789 revolution . . . Paris as center of luxury to increase business, again unlike 1789 principles . . .
"In 15 weeks, Napoleon had ended the French Revolution . . . given France a new constitutions establisher her finances on a sound footing, muzzled the press, , appointed a talented government regardless of past political affiliation, won a plebiscite by a landslide, reorganized French local government and inaugurated the Banque de France."
10. Consul--Napoleon presents himself as "completing the revolution.' He frees hostages; he encourages emigres to return; he mourns George Washington for 10 days; appoints Laplace--distinguished scientist--to high post. Not a soldier, but a leading reformer . . . New constitution with representative government acknowledging rights of PROPERTY, then equality and liberty--making France less threatening to business. N. knew that business was key to France's long-term economic health. . . Welcomes back defeated opposition figures, including royalists . . . more open to dissent . . . national unification. . . plebiscite to confirm legitimacy 99.9% yes. Fraud, naturally, and odd because the real vote would have been 90% or more. No need to cheat. . . propaganda by nature . . . no freedom of the press . . . centralized power and govt, unlike the 1789 revolution . . . Paris as center of luxury to increase business, again unlike 1789 principles . . .
"In 15 weeks, Napoleon had ended the French Revolution . . . given France a new constitutions establisher her finances on a sound footing, muzzled the press, , appointed a talented government regardless of past political affiliation, won a plebiscite by a landslide, reorganized French local government and inaugurated the Banque de France."
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