The Government Structure of the
New Directory
V5-man executive committee or oligarchy [to
avoid a dictatorship].
VTried to avoid the dangers of a one-house legislature.
§Council of 500 à
initiates legislation.
§Council of Elders [250 members] à
married or widowed males over 40 years of age.
oThey
accepted or rejected the legislation.
§Both houses elected by
electors who owned or rented property worth 100-200 days’ labor
[limited to 30,000 voters].
§The electors were elected by
all males over 21 who were taxpayers.