Political Conspiracy in Napoleonic France

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Napoleon Bonaparte seized control of France on 18 Brumaire VIII, promising to uphold the Revolutionary ideals that permeated the nation. Within a few years, however, he returned the country to autocratic rule. He enlisted the services of men whose ideologies conflicted with the empire, engendering instability within his new government. Despite many attempts, only one man achieved enough success to unsettle the Emperor’s belief that his government was secure. General Claude-Franois de Malet was a fervent Republican and despite constant denunciations of Napoleon, few considered him a serious threat. His effort on 22 October 1812 was the single most successful coup attempted against Napoleon’s regime. The readiness with which high-ranking military and political officials followed his orders speaks to the fragility of the Empire. Fearing that his Empire was on the verge of collapse, Napoleon returned to Paris from Russia only after hearing of Malet’s conspiracy. It had become clear to the Emperor that running an imperial government required close, personal supervision, especially in the homeland of libert, galit, and fraternit.