22 Thermidor
An CCXXXIV
Joseph Fouché
Ruthless traitors are the most successful politicians. Just like Joseph Fouché. With a brilliant instinct for what was politically correct at any given moment, the former priest had churches plundered and thousands of people executed in Lyon, only to preach political moderation shortly thereafter. Others had to pay for his crimes. Without Fouché, 9 Thermidor would not have been possible. It is telling of his character that on this great day, when Robespierre was overthrown, he was not present. Behind the scenes, he had already pulled all the strings. And when it came to finally burying the Republic, he was there again: he helped Napoleon Bonaparte into the saddle of the First Consul and later onto the imperial throne. In the end, he also betrayed Napoleon – and became Minister of Police under Louis XVIII, the brother of Louis Capet, for whose death Fouché had voted in 1793.
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1759 - 1820
- May 21, 1759 · Born in Pellerin near Nantes.
- November 1781 · Joins the Oratorians as a
tonsured priest-teacher
; teaches physics and logic in Niort, Saumur, Vendôme, and Paris. - 1789 · At the outbreak of the Revolution, he joins in Nantes the Society of the Friends of the Constitution.
- September 1792 · Deputy to the National Convention for the department of Loire-Inférieure.
- October 1793 · As a representative on mission in Lyon, he establishes a reign of terror and orders the execution of thousands.
- April 1794 · Recalled to Paris by the Committee of Public Safety. Attempts in vain to reconcile with Robespierre.
- May 6, 1794 · Robespierre attacks him in the Convention, accusing him of atheism.
- June 11, 1794 · Expelled from the Jacobin Club at Robespierre’s instigation.
- July 1794 · Fouché leads the conspiracy against Robespierre.
- July 26, 1794 · In his final speech, Robespierre speaks of conspiracies but names no one. When asked
Et Fouché?
, he gives an evasive answer. - July 27, 1794 · Robespierre is silenced during the session of 9 Thermidor, arrested, and executed the following day.
- August 1795 · Accused by the Convention for his acts of terror in Lyon; escapes punishment and withdraws from politics for several years.
- July 20, 1799 · Appointed Minister of Police by the Directory.
- November 9, 1799 · Supports Napoleon’s coup against the Directory; remains Minister of Police under the Consulate and the Empire until 1810.
- 1809 · Appointed Duke of Otranto by Napoleon.
- March 1, 1815 · Serves as Minister of Police during the Hundred Days.
- July 9, 1815 · Serves as Minister of Police under Louis XVIII.
- January 1816 · Dismissed by the king due to his vote for the execution of Louis XVI and his role during the Hundred Days.
- December 26, 1820 · Dies in Trieste.
Quotes
When a man is said to be incorruptible, I can’t help but wonder if he was offered enough.
Joseph Fouché
It was worse than a crime. It was a mistake.
Fouché on Napoleon’s decision to have the Duke of Enghien executed.
In my life, I have known only one true and consummate traitor: Fouché.
Napoleon
Le Moniteur
In a small chapel in the Brotteaux district, the victims of the mass killings in Lyon in 1793 are still commemorated today.
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