Mission to Lyon
Fouche helps impose revolutionary punishment in Lyon after the citys revolt against Paris
Role range: 1789-1795
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Joseph Fouche Biography and Timeline
Follow Joseph Fouche through 18 dated historical records for France.
Joseph Fouche, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
18Distinct records
1 of 1Page
1793–1799Years on this page
1793
Mission to Lyon
Fouche helps impose revolutionary punishment in Lyon after the citys revolt against Paris.
Role range: 1789-1795
Missionary Jacobin Repression Reaches Lyon
Fouche participated in the severe suppression of Lyon after its revolt against the Convention. The campaign later contributed to divisions among leading Jacobins over revolutionary excess.
Role range: 1793-1799
1794
Realignment After the Fall of Robespierre
Fouche survived the Thermidorian reversal and maneuvered among deputies who sought to curtail the authority of surviving Jacobin networks.
Role range: 1789-1799
Thermidorian Reaction
Fouche survives the fall of Robespierre and aligns with the Thermidorian order
Role range: 1789-1799
Thermidorian Reaction
Fouche survives the fall of Robespierre and aligns with the Thermidorian order.
Role range: 1789-1799
1798
Ambassador to Milan
Fouche received a diplomatic appointment to Milan after sending Barras a detailed political memorandum.
Role range: 1795-1799
1799
Ambassador to Holland
Fouche served as French ambassador in Holland before being recalled to take charge of the Ministry of Police.
Role range: 1795-1799
Minister of Police
Fouche became Minister of Police during the final months of the Directory, replacing Bourguignon.
Role range: 1795-1799 – 1799-1799
Closure of Jacobin Club at Manege
As Minister of Police, Fouche closed the meeting place at the Manege used by the revived Jacobin political club.
Role range: 1795-1799 – 1799-1799
Suppression of Newspapers
Fouche suppressed eleven Paris newspapers as the police ministry tightened control over political agitation and the press.
Role range: 1795-1799 – 1799-1799
Police ministry weighs neutrality - Historical significance
Joseph Fouche figured in events surrounding police ministry weighs neutrality at Paris. The conspirators depended on the absence of effective police resistance in the capital. The episode contributed to the outcome in which Bonaparte emerged as France’s leading executive authority.
Role range: 1793-1799
Police ministry weighs neutrality
Fouche monitored the political maneuvering surrounding Bonaparte while holding the police portfolio. The conspirators depended on the absence of effective police resistance in the capital.
Role range: 1793-1799
Meeting with Bonaparte
Fouche met Bonaparte shortly before Brumaire and positioned the police ministry to accommodate the coming change of government.
Role range: 1795-1799 – 1799-1799
Fouche meets Bonaparte - Political consequence
Joseph Fouche figured in events surrounding fouche meets bonaparte at Paris. His conduct helped avoid a decisive police intervention against the conspirators. The action changed the balance between Bonaparte, the legislative councils and politicians seeking a stronger executive.
Role range: 1793-1799
Fouche meets Bonaparte
Fouche conferred with Bonaparte shortly before the coup and assessed the likelihood of a change of regime. His conduct helped avoid a decisive police intervention against the conspirators.
Role range: 1793-1799
Fouche retained in new regime - Military consequence
Joseph Fouche figured in events surrounding fouche retained in new regime at Paris. Continuity in surveillance and public order helped the new government avoid an immediate counterstroke. The event illustrated how the availability of armed force could determine the outcome of a dispute among civilian leaders.
Role range: 1793-1799
Fouche retained in new regime
Fouche remained a central police official as the Consulate consolidated its control of Paris. Continuity in surveillance and public order helped the new government avoid an immediate counterstroke.
Role range: 1793-1799
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.