Although Prussia played no active role in the enterprise, Russia did, and her forces were heavily engaged. During his absence in Egypt, a Second Coalition had been formed to confront the French Revolution. Some pressing military matters demanded Napoleon’s immediate attention. With a charismatic general like Napoleon busy intriguing against it, this situation did not last long: a coup d’état launched on 9 November 1799 put the Corsican in power, and he soon outmanoeuvred his co-conspirators, acquiring the status of First Consul and becoming the effective dictator of France. Its corruption and incompetence had thoroughly alienated the French people, and it could only retain power if it enjoyed the support of the army. When Napoleon returned to France in October 1799, the Directory was on its last legs.
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