Coup of 18 Brumaire

The Coup of 18 Brumaire, occurring on November 9, 1799, was when Napoleon Bonaparte seized power in France, ending the French Revolution's chaos. Using military force and political maneuvering, he overthrew the weak government of the Directory and established the Consulate, with himself as the leading figure. This event marked the beginning of Napoleon’s rise as ruler and the start of his authoritarian rule, transforming France from a republic into a totalitarian state. It was a pivotal moment that significantly shaped French and European history.