introduces the context of France at the end of 1795, shortly after the establishment of the Directoire. Thiers describes the atmosphere of agitation and suspicion among political factions as the newly elected body prepares to assume power. Key events include the nomination of the five directors and discussions on addressing the dire financial situation, the ongoing wars, and challenges posed by royalists and other adversarial groups. As the directors grapple with their responsibilities, the looming threat of military defeats and civil unrest casts a shadow over their efforts to stabilize the republic. Through this detailed examination, the author sets the stage for a deeper exploration of this tumultuous period in French history. (This is an automatically generated summary.)