Malcolm Rivera
King Louis XVI of France was forced to accept the authority of the National Assembly, ending the ancient French feudal system and establishing a constitutional monarchy. The National Assembly began the process of drafting a constitution, with a twelve-member Constitutional Committee convened on 14 July 1789. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, adopted on 26 August 1789, became the preamble to the constitution, which was adopted on 3 September 1791. The constitution redefined the organisation of the French government, citizenship, and the limits of governmental powers. It abolished institutions that were deemed to be injurious to liberty and equality of rights. However, it was not egalitarian by today's standards, as it distinguished between active citizens with property and passive citizens without, and women lacked liberties such as education and freedom of speech. King Louis XVI reluctantly accepted the constitution in September 1791, but he soon began to resist the National Assembly's demands, ultimately leading to his trial and execution for treason in 1793.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time taken to create the French Constitution of 1791 | 2 years, 1 month |
| Date of acceptance of the Constitution by King Louis XVI | 14-25 September 1791 |
| Date of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen | 26 August 1789 |
| Date of the Tennis Court Oath | 14 July 1789 |
| Date of King Louis XVI's endorsement of the National Assembly | August 1789 |
| Date of King Louis XVI's visit to Paris | Early August 1789 |
| Date of the National Assembly's proclamation of King Louis XVI as the "restorer of French liberty" | Early August 1789 |
| Date of King Louis XVI's escape attempt to Austria | 21 June 1791 |
| Date of the outbreak of war with Austria | April 1792 |
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What You'll Learn
King Louis XVI's role
King Louis XVI played a complex and pivotal role in the creation of the French Constitution of 1791. His actions and decisions, influenced by personal beliefs and external factors, had a significant impact on the course of events leading up to the establishment of the constitutional monarchy in France.
Initially, King Louis XVI was reluctant to embrace constitutional reforms. In 1787, he supported radical fiscal, economic, and administrative reforms proposed by his ministers, including Charles-Alexandre de Calonne, the controller-general of finance. However, these measures faced strong opposition from conservatives and were never implemented. In July 1788, Louis summoned the Estates-General, a parliament representing the nobles, clergy, and commoners, for the first time since 1614. Despite this move, he was hesitant to work with the Estates, viewing it as a threat to royal dignity.
Following the death of his son in June 1789 and amid popular demonstrations, Louis was forced to acknowledge the authority of the newly formed National Assembly. He reluctantly endorsed the abolition of the feudal regime and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen in August 1789. This earned him the title of the "restorer of French liberty" from the National Assembly. However, Louis privately believed that the revolutionary fervor would eventually burn out, and he continued to resist certain demands from the Assembly.
In 1790, Louis XVI attempted to flee Paris with his family, an event known as the Flight to Varennes. This escape attempt failed, and he was brought back to Paris, where he lost credibility as a constitutional monarch. Influenced by his wife, Marie-Antoinette, he rejected the advice of moderate constitutionalists and committed himself to a policy of subterfuge and deception. He resisted the National Assembly's demands, and his refusal to commit to a new constitution further alienated him from the people.
On September 14-25, 1791, King Louis XVI publicly accepted the Constitution of 1791, turning the absolute monarchy into a constitutional monarchy. He recognized the need to adapt to the changing political landscape and prevent further unrest. However, his acceptance of the constitution did not signify a complete embrace of its principles. Louis retained the power to veto legislation, and his actions continued to be influenced by his wife and court intrigues.
In conclusion, King Louis XVI's role in the creation of the French Constitution of 1791 was marked by hesitation, resistance, and eventual acceptance. His initial reluctance to embrace constitutional reforms and his secret dealings with counterrevolutionary forces undermined his credibility. However, his public acceptance of the constitution demonstrated a pragmatic recognition of the political reality. Ultimately, the establishment of the constitutional monarchy in France was short-lived, as the monarchy was abolished on September 21-22, 1792, and Louis XVI was tried and executed for treason.
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The National Assembly
The French Revolution, which began with the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789, led to the creation of the National Assembly. This new body sought to draft a constitution as its primary objective. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, adopted on 26 August 1789, became the preamble to the constitution, which was adopted on 3 September 1791.
Despite the National Assembly's efforts, King Louis XVI resisted their demands. He encouraged the Assembly to go to war with Austria, expecting a quick French defeat and a subsequent restoration of his authority. When war broke out in April 1792, a Parisian mob captured the Tuileries Palace. Repeated military defeats and public unrest led to the declaration of the First French Republic on 22 September 1792, officially ending the monarchy.
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The French monarchy
The storming of the Bastille in 1789 marked a significant turning point, as Louis was forced to acknowledge the authority of the National Assembly and its subsequent Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. The Assembly, tasked with drafting a constitution, aimed to balance the interests of the people and the king, resulting in a suspensive veto power granted to Louis. The king, however, continued to resist the Assembly's demands, and his failed attempt to flee to Austria in 1791 further eroded his credibility.
The National Assembly's constitution-framing process involved addressing controversies such as the level of power granted to the king and the structure of the legislature. The final constitution, adopted in September 1791, redefined the organisation of the French government, citizenship, and limits to governmental powers. Despite his initial resistance, King Louis XVI reluctantly accepted the constitution in September 1791, recognising the will of the nation.
However, influenced by his wife, Marie-Antoinette, Louis continued to operate in secrecy, encouraging conflict with Austria and hoping to restore his authority. These actions, along with military defeats and public unrest, ultimately led to the declaration of the First French Republic in September 1792, officially ending the monarchy. Louis XVI was found guilty of treason and executed in January 1793, marking a pivotal moment in the French Revolution and the end of the monarchy's reign.
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The Constitution of 1791
The process of drafting the constitution began with the Tennis Court Oath, when the National Assembly pledged not to disband until France had a working constitution. The deputies of the Third Estate believed that any reforms to the French state must be outlined in and guaranteed by a written constitution. The Assembly's primary objectives were to define and limit the power of the government, protect the rights of citizens, and establish popular sovereignty.
The main controversies during the drafting process centred around the level of power to be granted to the king and the form of the legislature. The Constitutional Committee proposed a bicameral legislature and an absolute veto for the king, but both motions were defeated. Instead, a unicameral legislature and a suspensive veto for the king were adopted. The suspensive veto could be overridden by three consecutive legislatures, thus balancing the interests of the people and the king.
The constitution also amended King Louis XVI's title from 'King of France' to 'King of the French', implying that his power emanated from the people and the law, rather than divine right or national sovereignty. The king's spending was reduced by around 20 million livres, and he retained the right to form a cabinet and appoint ministers.
Despite King Louis XVI's acceptance of the Constitution of 1791, he soon began to resist its principles and operate under subterfuge and deception, influenced by his wife, Marie-Antoinette. The constitution was already outdated by the time it was adopted, as the revolution and political radicalism continued to grow.
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The French Revolution
The National Assembly, formed in 1789, played a pivotal role in the French Revolution. On June 20, 1789, the deputies of the Third Estate assembled in a tennis court in Versailles and pledged to remain united until France had a written constitution. This event, known as the Tennis Court Oath, marked the beginning of the constitution-making process. The National Assembly recognised the need for a fundamental law that would define and limit the powers of the government while safeguarding the rights of citizens.
The drafting of the constitution was undertaken by a committee of the National Assembly, who aimed to create a balanced form of royal government. The committee faced controversies over the extent of the king's power and the structure of the legislature. Despite these challenges, the French Constitution of 1791 was adopted in September 1791, marking a significant shift from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy.
King Louis XVI reluctantly accepted the Constitution of 1791, which redefined the organisation of the French government and affirmed the principles of liberty and equality. The constitution amended Louis XVI's title to "King of the French", signifying that his power derived from the people and law rather than divine right. However, the constitution's longevity was compromised by the king's attempted escape from Paris, which fuelled anti-royalist sentiment and led to the monarchy's suspension in August 1792.
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Frequently asked questions
It took King Louis XVI of France around two years to create and accept a constitution.
The process of drafting a constitution began on 14 July 1789, when a twelve-member Constitutional Committee was convened.
The constitution was created to redefine the organisation of the French government, citizenship, and the limits of the government's powers.
The main controversies surrounded the level of power to be granted to the king and the form the legislature would take.
No, King Louis XVI was reluctant to accept the authority of the National Assembly and did not want to create a constitution.
