Paul Francois Barras Biography

Barras participated in the revolutionary events surrounding the storming of the Bastille in Paris.

Barras spoke in favour of the king and queen during the October crisis at Versailles.

Barras joined the Jacobin political movement as his support for the Revolution became more radical.

Appointed National Convention

Paul Francois Barras was elected to the National Convention.

Appointed National Convention

Barras supported the revolutionary movement that overthrew the monarchy during the August insurrection.

Barras was elected to the National Convention as a deputy for the Var.

Barras voted for the death of Louis XVI without an appeal to the people or a suspension of sentence.

Barras sided against the Girondins during the Convention's escalating factional struggle.

Barras was sent on mission to the Army of Italy and became involved in Republican operations around Toulon.

Appointed Commander in Chief

Paul Francois Barras was appointed commander in chief.

Appointed Commander in Chief

Paul Francois Barras was prominent in the overthrow of Robespierre.

Prominent in the overthrow of Robespierre

With Napoleon establishes the Directory

Appointed Member of Directory

Appointed Member of Directory

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

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

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

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

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

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

Barras supported the decision that placed Bonaparte in command of the Army of Italy before the 1796 campaign.

Barras served as a witness at the civil marriage of Napoleon Bonaparte and Josephine de Beauharnais.

Heads a new five man group called the Directory which rules Republican France

Appointed Head of the Directory

Appointed Head of the Directory

Barras confronted a legislature strengthened by royalist electoral gains and increasingly feared a reversal of the republican settlement.

After the Fructidor coup, Barras helped end the peace negotiations with Britain that had been taking place at Lille.

During the Fructidor coup, forces supporting Barras arrested leading royalist deputies and Director Barthelemy.

Barras backed the coup of 18 Fructidor and used troops under Augereau to remove royalist opponents from political power.

Overthrown by Napoleon's coup

The parliamentary crisis of 30 Prairial weakened the Directory and reduced Barras's ability to control the political situation.

Barras hosted Bonaparte for dinner as political manoeuvring intensified shortly before the coup of Brumaire.

Barras resigned as the coup of Brumaire destroyed the Directory and ended his central role in revolutionary government.