Paul François Jean Nicolas Barras Biography and Timeline — Page 2

Thermidorian Reaction

Barras gains influence after commanding the troops that defeated the Commune

Role range: 1789-1799

Thermidorian Reaction

Barras gains influence after commanding the troops that defeated the Commune.

Role range: 1789-1799

Convention Forces Reassert Control over Paris Guard

During Thermidor Barras commanded troops supporting the Convention against insurgent municipal authorities. The victory undermined the radical political leadership of the capital's armed citizens.

Role range: 1793-1799

Convention Forces Suppress Commune Resistance

Barras commanded troops supporting the Convention against forces attempting to rescue arrested Robespierrists from the Paris municipal insurrection.

Role range: 1789-1799

Action against Hotel de Ville resistance Barras

Convention forces moved against the Hôtel de Ville, where Robespierre's supporters sought refuge. Barras's military command helped end the Commune's attempted rescue of the arrested leaders.

Role range: 1793-1799

Break with Robespierrist dominance Barras

Barras joined the group of deputies that opposed Robespierre and his close supporters. Fear of purges helped unite otherwise divided Convention members during the Thermidor crisis.

Role range: 1793-1799

Committee of General Security membership Barras

Barras entered the Committee of General Security after Thermidor. Membership placed him within an institution still responsible for political policing during the transition away from the Terror.

Role range: 1793-1799

Completion of Army of Italy mission Barras

Barras concluded his assignment as representative with the Army of Italy early in 1794. His experience in the southeast enlarged his contacts with military officers and other deputies.

Role range: 1793-1799

Convention gives Barras anti-Commune command

Barras received military responsibility for suppressing the municipal rebellion. Convention forces advanced against the Hôtel de Ville as support for the Commune eroded.

Role range: 1793-1799

Political influence after Thermidor Barras

Barras benefited from his role in the overthrow of Robespierre. The victory strengthened his claim to leadership as the Convention reduced the concentration of emergency power.

Role range: 1793-1799

Return to Parisian Convention politics Barras

After his field mission, Barras resumed political activity in a Convention increasingly strained by factional rivalries. Disputes over revolutionary discipline and personal security intensified as the Terror continued.

Role range: 1793-1799

Reversal of the Commune insurrection Barras

The collapse of municipal resistance on the night of 9 to 10 Thermidor gave the Convention control of Paris. Barras emerged with enhanced standing among the victorious deputies.

Role range: 1793-1799

Thermidor command over loyal troops Barras

On 9 Thermidor the Convention entrusted Barras with command of armed forces defending it against the insurgent Commune. His position gave the anti-Robespierrist deputies a military organizer.

Role range: 1793-1799

Thermidorian scrutiny of former agents Barras

As the Convention reviewed the actions of officials associated with the Terror, Barras participated in a political environment demanding accountability. The reaction reshaped both policing and the careers of revolutionary deputies.

Role range: 1793-1799

Commander in Chief

Appointed Commander in Chief

Role range: 1793-1799

Commander in Chief

Paul Francois Barras was appointed commander in chief.

Role range: 1793-1799

Commander in Chief

Appointed Commander in Chief

Attack on Emigres

Barras publicly attacked returning emigres as Thermidorian politics moved against royalist influence before the establishment of the Directory.

Role range: 1795-1799

Government Mobilizes against Germinal Unrest

The post Thermidor government relied on troops and armed supporters when popular crowds challenged the Convention. Control of the capital's armed units remained essential to the survival of the ruling deputies.

Role range: 1793-1799

Guard Loyalties Split during Prairial Rising

The Prairial uprising exposed disagreements between armed citizens supporting protesters and those defending the Convention. The authorities regained control with military assistance and then weakened radical sectional networks.

Role range: 1793-1799

Defence of Convention

The Convention appointed Barras commander in chief to organise its defence against the approaching royalist insurrection.

Role range: 1795-1799 – 1795-1795

National Guard role in Vendemiaire suppression

Barras supervised forces confronting a royalist uprising against the Convention in Paris. The clash showed the instability of armed civic politics as the Revolution moved toward the Directory.

Role range: 1793-1799

Defense of Convention in Vendemiaire

Barras receives command of forces defending the Convention when royalist sections launch an armed uprising against the republican government.

Role range: 1789-1799

Suppression of 13 Vendemiaire

Barras directed the Convention's defence during the Vendemiaire uprising and employed Napoleon Bonaparte in the military response.

Role range: 1795-1799 – 1795-1795

Appointment of Bonaparte

After Vendemiaire, Barras supported Bonaparte's appointment as commander of the Army of the Interior.

Role range: 1795-1799

Directory Inherits Fragmented Citizen Militia

The new executive emerged after successive clashes with armed Paris sections. Its leaders treated the political independence of citizen forces as a serious institutional danger.

Role range: 1793-1799

Election to Directory

Barras was elected one of the five members of the new Executive Directory under the Constitution of Year III.

Role range: 1795-1799 – 1795-1799

Luxembourg Palace

Barras took up residence at the Luxembourg Palace as the Executive Directory began operating under the new constitution.

Role range: 1795-1799 – 1795-1799

Defence Against the Vendemiaire Rising

Barras helped organize the defence of the Convention against a royalist uprising in Paris, calling on Napoleon Bonaparte for military assistance.

Role range: 1789-1799

Directory Succeeds the Convention

Barras entered the new executive Directory when the National Convention ended and the Constitution of Year III took effect.

Role range: 1789-1799

Directory System Replaces Jacobin Emergency Government

Barras entered the new Directory after the Convention adopted the Constitution of Year III. The settlement deliberately separated institutions to avoid a return to concentrated Jacobin rule.

Role range: 1793-1799

Two-Thirds Decree Protects Convention Continuity

Barras backed the transition that reserved a large share of seats in the successor councils for outgoing Convention deputies, provoking royalist resistance.

Role range: 1789-1799

Barras elected one of five Directors Barras

The new Council of Ancients selected Barras for the Executive Directory after the Constitution of Year III took effect. He entered an executive required to govern collectively rather than through a single head of state.

Role range: 1795-1799

Barras selected for the Directory Council of Ancients

The Council of Ancients chose Barras for the five-member Executive Directory from candidates proposed under the new constitution. His appointment placed an influential Thermidorian politician in the executive government.

Role range: 1795-1799

Bonaparte enlisted for Paris defense Barras

Barras employed Napoleon Bonaparte to organize effective military resistance during the Vendémiaire uprising. Their cooperation gave the Convention experienced artillery leadership at a decisive moment.

Role range: 1795-1799

Campaign against returning emigres Barras

Barras publicly criticized the political danger posed by returning émigrés and royalist networks. His warnings linked internal security to the defense of the republican constitutional settlement.

Role range: 1795-1799

Committee security work resumes Barras

Barras returned to a role on the Committee of General Security later in 1795. Political policing remained consequential despite efforts to dismantle the most exceptional institutions of the Terror.

Role range: 1795-1799

Military patronage under new Directory Barras

Barras maintained strong connections with military officers after the constitutional transition. His influence over appointments exemplified the growing importance of generals to the fragile republican executive.

Role range: 1795-1799

Move into Luxembourg Palace Barras

The Directors established their working headquarters at the Luxembourg Palace. Barras's presence there became associated with the ceremonial and social life of the new executive government.

Role range: 1795-1799

Preparations against royalist sections Barras

When royalist sections challenged the Convention during Vendémiaire, Barras received responsibility for its military defense. Government leaders assembled troops and artillery to confront the approaching insurgents.

Role range: 1795-1799