Isabella Carter
On September 3, 1791, France transitioned from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy, a form of government where the monarch shares power with a constitutionally formed government. This change occurred when the National Constituent Assembly forced King Louis XVI to accept the French Constitution of 1791, which established the Kingdom of the French. The constitution abolished the nobility, declared all men equal before the law, and divided powers among the legislature, executive, and judiciary, with the king as the head of the assembly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 3 September 1791 |
| Previous government | Absolute monarchy |
| New government | Constitutional monarchy |
| Monarch | King Louis XVI |
| Constitution | Constitution of 1791 |
| Constitution abolished | Nobility |
| Constitution declared | All men equal before the law |
| Constitution allowed | Veto power for the king |
| Constitution required | Royal Assent for legislation |
| Assembly head | The king |
| Assembly powers | Distributed among members |
| Assembly members | 745 |
| Assembly elected by | Active citizens (men over 25 who paid taxes) |
| Assembly members elected by passive members | Top 50,000 taxpayers |
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What You'll Learn
The National Assembly
On 3 September 1791, the National Assembly forced King Louis XVI to accept the French Constitution of 1791, thereby turning the absolute monarchy into a constitutional monarchy. The constitution was revolutionary, abolishing the nobility of France and declaring all men equal before the law. However, the king still retained the power to veto legislation.
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The Constitution of 1791
The French Constitution of 1791 was the first written constitution in France, created after the collapse of the absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime. The constitution was the culmination of the French Revolution's basic precepts of adopting constitutionality and establishing popular sovereignty. The National Assembly, which had declared itself into being in 1789, set out to draft a constitution as its primary objective.
The Assembly, as the framers of the constitution, were afraid that if only representatives governed France, it would likely be ruled by the representatives' self-interest. Hence, the king was allowed a suspensive veto to balance the interests of the people. However, representative democracy also weakened the king's executive authority. The constitution was not egalitarian by today's standards. It distinguished between "active citizens" (propertied, male, over 25, and paying direct taxes) with political rights, and "passive citizens" (poorer) with only civil rights. Women were not granted liberties such as education, freedom of speech, writing, printing, or worship.
The main controversies early on in the drafting process surrounded the level of power to be granted to the king and the form the legislature would take. The Constitutional Committee proposed a bicameral legislature, but this was defeated in favour of a unicameral body. The Committee also proposed an absolute veto for the king, but this was defeated in favour of a suspensive veto, which could be overridden by three consecutive legislatures.
The constitution was reluctantly accepted by King Louis XVI in September 1791, turning the absolute monarchy into a constitutional monarchy. It redefined the organisation of the French government, citizenship, and the limits of government power. The National Assembly's belief in a sovereign nation and equal representation was reflected in the constitutional separation of powers. The Assembly was the legislative body, the king and royal ministers made up the executive, and the judiciary was independent. On a local level, previous feudal geographic divisions were abolished, and the territory was reorganised.
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Separation of Powers
On September 3, 1791, France became a constitutional monarchy when the National Constituent Assembly forced King Louis XVI to accept the French Constitution of 1791, thereby transforming the absolute monarchy into a constitutional monarchy. This constitution was revolutionary, abolishing the nobility of France and declaring all men equal before the law.
In a constitutional monarchy, the monarch's authority is limited by a constitution and an elected parliament. The monarch is bound to exercise their powers within the limits prescribed by an established legal framework and is not the sole decision-maker. They may hold formal powers such as dissolving parliament or giving royal assent to legislation, but these are generally exercised in accordance with constitutional principles rather than personal preference.
The concept of a constitutional monarchy first emerged in ancient times with the Hittites, whose king shared authority with an assembly. The present-day understanding of a constitutional monarchy, however, developed in the United Kingdom, where the monarch has ceded most power to democratically elected parliaments and the prime minister. The monarch retains a largely ceremonial role as the head of state, with limited legislative and executive powers.
In some constitutional monarchies, the monarch may retain more substantial powers, similar to those of a president. In other cases, the monarch may be given the status of a "servant of the people" to reflect their new egalitarian position, as seen with Louis-Philippe I, who was styled "King of the French" during France's July Monarchy.
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The King's Veto
The French Revolution, which began in 1789, brought about a drastic change in the government and social orders of the country. The Kingdom of France, which was an absolute monarchy, was transformed into a constitutional monarchy in 1791. This transformation was a result of the National Assembly's efforts to provide France with a fair and liberal constitution.
The Constitution of 1791, drafted by the National Assembly, was France's first attempt at a national constitution. It amended Louis XVI's title from 'King of France' to 'King of the French', implying that his power derived from the people and the law, rather than from divine right or national sovereignty. The constitution also reduced the king's spending by granting him a civil list of 25 million livres, down from the previous 45 million.
One of the most significant aspects of the Constitution of 1791 was the introduction of the king's veto. The Monarchiens, led by Honore Mirabeau, argued for the king to be granted an absolute veto, or the executive right to block any legislation. This would ensure that the king, as a representative of the people, would only act in the nation's best interests and protect the separation of powers. However, the Assembly eventually decided to give the king a suspensive veto, allowing him to deny assent to bills for up to five years. After this period, if the king still withheld assent, the Assembly could enact the bill without his approval.
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The Declaration of Rights
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, inspired by the American Declaration of Independence and the spirit of the Enlightenment, was a pivotal moment in the transition of France from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. This declaration, conceived in the summer of 1789, was the brainchild of the Constituent Assembly, formed by the assembly of the Estates General. The declaration was ratified on 5 October 1789 by King Louis XVI, albeit reluctantly under pressure from the Assembly and the people.
The declaration, comprising a preamble and 17 articles, enshrined the "natural and inalienable" rights of freedom, ownership, security, and resistance to oppression. It proclaimed the equality of all citizens before the law and affirmed the principle of the separation of powers. The document also recognised the right to property as inviolable and sacred, with the caveat that it could be overridden in cases of legally ascertained public necessity, with just and prior indemnity.
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen also emphasised the importance of free communication of ideas and opinions, guaranteeing the freedom to speak, write, and print, within the boundaries of responsibility to prevent abuse of this freedom. It asserted the right of citizens to participate in law-making, either directly or through their representatives, ensuring equality under the law. The declaration also outlined the principles of due process, innocent until proven guilty, and proportional punishment.
The declaration served as a preamble to the first Constitution of the French Revolution in 1791, which transformed France into a constitutional monarchy. While the text was not always adhered to during the revolutionary period, it nevertheless served as a foundational document, inspiring similar declarations in other countries and forming the basis for subsequent French constitutions.
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Frequently asked questions
On September 3, 1791, the National Constituent Assembly forced King Louis XVI to accept the French Constitution of 1791, turning the absolute monarchy into a constitutional monarchy.
In a constitutional monarchy, the monarch shares power with a constitutionally formed government. The powers of the monarch are bound by the constitution.
The French Constitution of 1791 established the Kingdom of the French and abolished the nobility of France, declaring all men equal before the law.
The National Assembly was responsible for drafting and promulgating the Constitution of 1791. The Assembly was made up of 745 members, with the monarch as their head.
Members of the Assembly were elected by "active citizens", defined as men above the age of 25 who paid regular taxes. The top 50,000 taxpayers among the passive members elected the remaining members of the Assembly.
