The Infernal Machine: The violent plot to kill Napoleon that almost succeeded

The late 18th and early 19th centuries were a time of immense political and social upheaval in France.

The French Revolution, which began in 1789, had overthrown the monarchy, abolished feudalism, and established a republic based on principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity.

However, the Revolution also led to a period of intense political conflict, economic instability, and widespread violence known as the Reign of Terror.

In the midst of this chaos, a young military officer named Napoleon Bonaparte began to rise through the ranks.

Napoleon was a brilliant strategist and charismatic leader, and he quickly gained popularity for his successful campaigns against France's enemies.

In 1799, he staged a coup d'état and installed himself as First Consul, effectively making him the ruler of France.

Napoleon's rule brought a measure of stability and order, but it also marked a return to autocratic leadership.

Napoleon Bonaparte's rise to power was not without controversy. While many in France welcomed his strong leadership, others viewed him as a threat to the ideals of the Revolution.

Among his detractors were royalists who wanted to restore the monarchy, Jacobins who advocated for a more radical form of republicanism, and foreign powers threatened by Napoleon's aggressive expansionist policies.

The Plot of the Rue Saint-Nicaise was a meticulously planned conspiracy, born out of a potent mix of political discontent and personal vendetta.

The primary conspirators were royalists, individuals who were staunch supporters of the French monarchy and who saw Napoleon's rise to power as a direct threat to their cause.

They were led by Pierre Robinault de Saint-Regent, a former army officer and a member of the Chouans, a royalist insurgency in western France.

The conspirators' motives were twofold. First, they sought to eliminate Napoleon, whom they viewed as a usurper who had betrayed the principles of the French Revolution and was moving France towards dictatorship.

They believed that his death would create a power vacuum that could be exploited to restore the monarchy.

Second, they sought revenge for the execution of Louis Antoine, Duke of Enghien, a member of the Bourbon royal family who had been accused of conspiring against Napoleon.

The planning and preparation of the plot were carried out in utmost secrecy. The conspirators decided to use a bomb, known as the "Infernal Machine," a large barrel filled with gunpowder and shrapnel, which would be detonated as Napoleon's carriage passed by.

The location chosen for the assassination attempt was the Rue Saint-Nicaise in Paris, a narrow street that Napoleon's carriage would have to pass through on its way to the opera.

The Plot of the Rue Saint-Nicaise came to a head on December 24, 1800. The conspirators, led by Saint-Regent, had meticulously planned the assassination attempt, timing it to coincide with a trip Napoleon was making to the opera to watch a performance of Haydn's "Creation."

The "Infernal Machine," a horse-drawn cart laden with a large barrel filled with gunpowder and shrapnel, was positioned on the narrow Rue Saint-Nicaise.

The plan was to detonate the bomb as Napoleon's carriage passed by, killing him and anyone else in the vicinity.

The conspirators, however, had not accounted for the unpredictability of real-life events.

As Napoleon's carriage approached, the bomb was detonated. However, the timing was off.

The carriage had already passed the location of the explosion, and Napoleon escaped unscathed.

The blast, however, caused significant damage. Buildings in the vicinity were destroyed, and several bystanders were killed or injured.

The scene was one of utter chaos and destruction, a stark contrast to the festive atmosphere of Christmas Eve.

In the immediate aftermath of the explosion on Rue Saint-Nicaise, Napoleon Bonaparte was quick to assert control over the situation.

Despite the shock and confusion, he continued to the opera, demonstrating a calm and composed demeanor that reassured the public and asserted his authority.

However, behind the scenes, he was swift and decisive in his response.

Napoleon was convinced that the Jacobins, the radical republicans, were behind the assassination attempt, despite the actual involvement of the royalists.

This belief was fueled by his own political biases and the misinformation spread in the chaotic aftermath of the explosion.

Acting on this belief, he ordered a swift and thorough investigation into the incident.

The investigation was led by the Minister of Police, Joseph Fouché, a shrewd and ruthless operator.

Fouché's agents scoured Paris, conducting raids, making arrests, and interrogating suspects.

Despite the initial focus on the Jacobins, the investigation eventually led to the royalists.

Key evidence came in the form of a stolen horse, which was traced back to the royalist conspirators.

The response to the Plot of the Rue Saint-Nicaise was not limited to the investigation.

Napoleon used the assassination attempt to justify a crackdown on his political opponents, particularly the Jacobins.

He also pushed through a series of constitutional changes that further consolidated his power, including the establishment of the French Consulate for life, a move that effectively made him a dictator.

Following the investigation into the Plot of the Rue Saint-Nicaise, the conspirators were brought to trial.

The trial was a high-profile event, closely watched by the public and the international community.

It was not just a legal proceeding, but a political spectacle that would further shape the narrative around Napoleon's rule.

The key figure in the trial was Pierre Robinault de Saint-Regent, the leader of the conspirators. Saint-Regent and his accomplices were charged with conspiracy to assassinate the First Consul, a crime punishable by death.

The evidence against them was overwhelming, including the testimony of informants and the physical evidence gathered during the investigation.

The trial was swift and decisive. Saint-Regent and his accomplices were found guilty and sentenced to death.

The sentences were carried out with a grim efficiency, a stark demonstration of the power and authority of Napoleon's regime.

The execution of the conspirators served as a warning to others who might consider plotting against the First Consul.

Napoleon used the trial to further consolidate his power and to justify his crackdown on political dissent.

He portrayed himself as a victim of political extremism and as a bulwark against chaos and violence.

This narrative, while self-serving, resonated with many in France who were weary of the upheavals of the Revolution and the Reign of Terror.