Episode 37: Breaking the Pendulum

French politics during Napoleon's campaign in Italy oscillated dangerously between left and right. The establishment and dominance of the directory system of government, the rise of the left-wing movement, threats to the directory, and the ideological divide shaped the political landscape. The majority faction uncovers a royalist plot, leading to a political shift to the right and the rise of the Charles-Pecia Group. Napoleon expresses his dissatisfaction and announces his political ambitions in a tense letter exchange.