The French Directory was established as a result of the political instability that followed the tumultuous years of the French Revolution, particularly after the fall of the Jacobin government and the Reign of Terror. The Directory replaced the National Convention, a move aimed at creating a more moderated government that could stabilize France amid ongoing internal unrest and external threats from various European monarchies. The constitution of the year III, which framed the governmental structure, provided for a bicameral legislature alongside a five-man executive authority known as the Directory. This governmental body was designed to avert the autocratic tendencies that had emerged under previous regimes, allowing for a balance of power among the revolutionary factions and maintaining some level of influence from the bourgeoisie. Among the directors was Paul Barras, who had significant sway in political appointments and military affairs.

The period of the Directory (1795-1799) was marked by ongoing conflicts, notably the War of the First Coalition against several European powers, including Austria and Britain, which were keen to quash revolutionary fervor in France. The Directors struggled to establish a stable government amid corruption, economic hardship, and continual political strife. Although the Directory aimed to promote civil liberties and the principles of the revolution, it also faced challenges, including the necessity of military reliance due to the chaos within France, as well as the emergence of military leaders like Napoleon Bonaparte, who would later bring an end to the Directory in a coup d'état in 1799.

Throughout its duration, the Directory had to contend with both royalist uprisings and radical insurrections, illustrating the divided sentiment within France. The imposition of the Directory allowed for a temporary reprieve from revolutionary excess but ultimately became a target for criticism for being ineffective and for its inability to address societal issues.