Omar Bennett
On December 24, 1799, France adopted the Constitution of the Year VIII, also known as the French Constitution, which established a government known as the Consulate. This constitution was the result of a bloodless coup d'état led by Napoleon Bonaparte on November 9, 1799, which overthrew the Directory and replaced it with the French Consulate. The Constitution of the Year VIII was crafted to legitimize Napoleon's position and consolidate power in his hands, while preserving the appearance of a republic. It established a legislature of three houses and vested executive power in three consuls, but the First Consul, Napoleon, held most of the power, resembling a dictatorship. This constitution was approved by a plebiscite in February 1800, though there are doubts about the authenticity of the near-unanimous results. The Constitution of the Year VIII served as the foundation for subsequent amendments that further strengthened Napoleon's power, leading to the establishment of the First French Empire with Napoleon Bonaparte as Emperor in 1804.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of adoption | 24 December 1799 (13 December 1799, according to some sources) |
| Date of ratification | 7 February 1800 |
| Type of government | Consulate |
| Number of consuls | 3 |
| Power distribution | Most power was held by the First Consul, Napoleon Bonaparte |
| Declaration of Rights | No |
| Voting results | 3,011,107 in favour, 1,562 against (official); likely around 1.55 million in favour, several thousand against (unofficial) |
| Amendments | Constitution of the Year X (1802), Constitution of the Year XII (1804) |
| Additional Information | The Constitution of the Year VIII was the first constitution since the Revolution without a Declaration of Rights |
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What You'll Learn
The Constitution of the Year VIII
The Constitution established a legislature of three houses: a Conservative Senate of 80 men over 40, a Tribunate of 100 men over 25, and a Legislative Body (Corps législatif) of 300 men over 30. The document is very technical and defines mainly the powers of the First Consul. It was adopted under the pretext of emergency and was ratified by a plebiscite, which took place for 15 days. The official results, made public on 7 February 1800, showed overwhelming approval, with 3,011,107 citizens in favour and 1,562 against. However, French historian Claude Langlois demonstrated in 1972 that these results were falsified by Napoleon's brother Lucien Bonaparte.
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The coup of 18 Brumaire
The coup overthrew the Directory, replacing it with the French Consulate. Napoleon, along with his brother Lucien Bonaparte, Emmanuel Joseph Sieyès, Roger Ducos, Talleyrand, and Joseph Fouché, planned the coup. Before the coup, troops were strategically deployed around Paris. Lucien Bonaparte, who served as the president of the Council of Five Hundred, falsely spread the rumour of an imminent Jacobin coup in Paris, causing the Councils to relocate to the suburban Château de Saint-Cloud for their safety. Napoleon was tasked with the safety of the Councils and given command of the local troops.
On November 9, the conspirators successfully persuaded the Directors to resign and the legislative Council of Ancients, led by Sieyès, voted to meet with the Council of Five Hundred at Saint-Cloud. The next day, on 19 Brumaire, Bonaparte addressed the Ancients but was met with a storm of abuse at the meeting of the Five Hundred. Bonaparte fled the hall, but Lucien Bonaparte, Sieyès, and Joachim Murat regained control by sending in the grenadiers, disbanding the Five Hundred, and forcing the Ancients to comply.
The conspirators then intimidated the commissions into forming a provisional government, the first consulate, with Napoleon, Sieyès, and Ducos as Consuls. The coup was met with little resistance, indicating the end of the Revolution. Jacobin deputies were exiled or arrested, and a new constitution was adopted, known as the Constitution of the Year VIII. This constitution, approved by popular vote, established a dictatorship by vesting most power in the position of First Consul, held by Napoleon.
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Napoleon's power as First Consul
On November 9, 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte led a bloodless coup d'état that overthrew the Directory, replacing it with the French Consulate. This event, known as the Coup of 18 Brumaire, effectively gave all power to Napoleon Bonaparte and ended the French Revolution.
Napoleon became the First Consul for ten years, appointing two consuls with consultative voices only. His power was confirmed by the new Constitution of the Year VIII, which was originally devised by Sieyès to give Napoleon a minor role. However, Napoleon rewrote the constitution to give himself most of the powers of a dictator, and it was accepted by a direct popular vote. This constitution established a legislature of three houses: a Conservative Senate of 80 men over the age of 40, a Tribunate of 100 men over the age of 25, and a Legislative Body (Corps législatif) of 300 men over 30 years old. The constitution also used the term "notables" to refer to distinguished men such as landholders, merchants, scholars, professionals, clergymen, and officials.
Napoleon established a political system that historian Martyn Lyons called "dictatorship by plebiscite." He resorted to regular electoral consultations with the French people on his road to imperial power. He drafted the Constitution of the Year VIII and secured his own election as First Consul, taking up residence at the Tuileries. The constitution was amended twice, and in each case, the amendments strengthened Napoleon's already concentrated power.
In August 1802, Napoleon proclaimed himself First Consul for Life. He created a new constitution that legislated a succession to rule for his son, even though he had not yet fathered any children. This constitution was another step in creating a new regime in his own image. In May 1804, Napoleon became the hereditary emperor of the French, proclaiming himself the heir of Charlemagne, the early medieval king of the Franks and founder of the Holy Roman Empire.
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The Consulate
The Constitution of the Year VIII was adopted on 13 December 1799 and ratified by a plebiscite held from 25 December 1799 to 7 February 1800. The plebiscite was not binding but served to maintain a veneer of democracy. The official results, announced by Napoleon's brother Lucien Bonaparte, showed overwhelming approval, with 3,011,107 in favour and 1,562 against. However, it is believed that these results were falsified, with the true result likely showing around 1.55 million in favour and several thousand against. Despite the doubts about the unanimity of the vote, Napoleon was genuinely popular among many voters.
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The Constitution's amendments
The Constitution of 1799, also known as the Constitution of the Year VIII, was adopted on December 24, 1799 (December 13, according to some sources), during the Year VIII of the French Revolutionary Calendar. This constitution established a new form of government known as the Consulate, with Napoleon as the First Consul. It effectively gave Napoleon most of the powers of a dictator, while preserving the appearance of a republic.
The Constitution of 1799 was amended twice, and each amendment served to strengthen Napoleon's power. The first amendment was the Constitution of the Year X (1802), which made Napoleon the First Consul for life. This amendment further solidified his grip on power and moved the country even closer to a dictatorship.
The second amendment was the Constitution of the Year XII (1804), which established the First French Empire, with Napoleon Bonaparte as Emperor. This amendment transformed the French state into an empire and made the throne hereditary within Napoleon's family, the House of Bonaparte.
The Constitution of 1799, along with its amendments, played a crucial role in consolidating Napoleon's power and marking the beginning of the Napoleonic regime. It is worth noting that these constitutions have been viewed by some historians as merely a means to pursue personal power rather than a commitment to a revolutionary ideology.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution of 1799, also known as the Constitution of the Year VIII, was a national constitution of France.
The Constitution established a government known as the Consulate, with Napoleon as the First Consul.
The Constitution granted Napoleon most of the powers of a dictator, with all actual power held by the First Consul. It established a legislature of three houses, including a Conservative Senate, a Tribunate, and a Legislative Body.
Napoleon enforced the Constitution through a combination of popular support and plebiscites. He held a plebiscite on the Constitution on February 7, 1800, which allowed him to maintain a democratic facade. While the vote was not binding, it demonstrated his popularity, with results showing overwhelming support for the Constitution.
Yes, the Constitution of the Year VIII was amended twice. The first amendment, known as the Constitution of the Year X, made Napoleon the First Consul for life. The second amendment, the Constitution of the Year XII, established the Bonaparte dynasty, with Napoleon as the hereditary Emperor of France.
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