Question

Which of the following was a factor in the rise of Napoleon?
A. Robespierre's Reign of Terror
B. Nationalist forces
C. Political instability of the Directory
D. Fall of the Jacobin government

Answer 1

Hint: In 1792 to 1793 France became a republic. It includes events such as the fall of the Jacobin government and the political instability of the Directory. Finally with the series of events Napoleon becomes the emperor of France.

Complete answer: With the fall of the Jacobin government it paved the way to the wealthier middle classes to seize power. A new constitution was introduced which gave the power to vote to the non-propertied sections of society, these events then appointed a directory or an executive which was made up of five members. It was made to ensure safeguard against the concentration of power in a one-person executive which was under the Jacobins; however, the directors clashed with the legislative councils who decided to dismiss them. This political instability of the directory paved the way for the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte.
With the rise of Napoleon, all the changes in the form of Government including the ideals of freedom of equality before the law and of fraternity remained the inspiring ideas that had motivated the political movements in the rest of Europe under Napoleon.
Now we will discuss what has happened under the above-mentioned episodes during the same century in Europe.
-The Robespierre reign of terror was a period from 1793 to 1794. Robespierre followed a severe control and punishment policy. According to this policy, all those who disagreed with him or enemies of him even belonging to his own party was arrested imprisonment and then tried by a revolutionary tribunal. The guillotine is the device consisting of two poles and a blade where people were beheaded.
-Nationalist forces grew in the 19th century in Europe resulted in demanding equality, democracy, fraternity and freedom and political reforms and revolutions which gave people voice that has been previously excluded.
-Fall of the Jacobin government in France happened because of the Robespierre severe control and punishment policy. Under him, churches were shut down and converted into offices which outraged the clergy class. The period also marked with extensive intolerance, anyone who disagreed with him would be arrested and imprisoned.
Therefore, the correct answer to this question would be Option-C that is political instability of the directory which became a factor in the rise of Napoleon.

Note: Finally in 1804 Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself as the emperor of France under his rule he conquered neighbouring European countries and dispossessed the existing dynasties and created kingdoms where he placed members of his own family. He introduced many political reforms such as the protection of private property and a uniform system of weights. Many saw himself as the liberator that would bring freedom for the people of Europe. However soon the Napoleonic army came to be viewed as a dictator and invading force and was finally defeated at Waterloo in 1815.