Coup d’etat is a term used to describe the illegal overthrow of the leader of a state. It differs from a revolution, which seeks to change the fundamental social and political ideology of a country, by focusing on replacing the existing government.
Whether the outcome of a coup is positive or negative depends on how it is handled. Coups that are bloodless can create new political orders while those that lead to chaos or a return of old power structures can destabilize the entire world order. International responses to coups can vary from condemnation and sanctions to tacit support depending on geopolitical interests.
The coup of 18 Brumaire was successful for several reasons. First, the conspirators industriously promulgated rumors of a Jacobin plot to bring down the Directory, creating an atmosphere of suspicion that allowed them to ratify a decree relocating the assemblies to the Chateau de Saint Cloud. This gave Bonaparte the opportunity to occupy this space under the guise of protecting the assemblies against the’real conspirators’ and subsequently enact his own reorganisation of the directory.
While a coup d’etat is generally seen as a violent and destructive event, it can have long-term effects on societal structures and governance. For example, during the collapse of communism, a number of coups led to the removal of existing regimes and the establishment of democratic reforms. The French Revolution also demonstrates the ability for coups to disrupt revolutionary ideals and shift the trajectory of political order towards authoritarian governance.