The Coup of 18 Brumaire

The coup that brought Napoleon to power was neither a spontaneous military uprising nor a carefully planned conspiracy, but rather an improvised drama that nearly failed at several crucial moments. Sieyès, his fellow conspirator Roger Ducos, and Napoleon manipulated the legislature into transferring its sessions to Saint-Cloud, ostensibly to escape a fictional Jacobin plot threatening the government.

On November 9, 1799 (18 Brumaire, Year VIII, by the revolutionary calendar), Napoleon entered the Council of Five Hundred expecting to be acclaimed as France's savior. Instead, deputies surrounded him, shouting "Down with the dictator!" and physically attacking him. Napoleon, usually masterful in crises, panicked and had to be rescued by his brother Lucien, president of the council, and loyal soldiers led by Joachim Murat.

Lucien's quick thinking saved the day. Drawing his sword and pointing it at his brother's chest, he dramatically proclaimed he would kill Napoleon himself if he ever threatened French liberty. This theatrical gesture satisfied the deputies' republican sensibilities while soldiers cleared the hall. A rump session, hastily convened with a few remaining supporters, voted to dissolve the Directory and establish a new government.