Jonah Patel
The French Revolution, a period of radical social and political upheaval, witnessed the creation of multiple constitutions that shaped the country's trajectory. The Revolutionary Era saw the emergence of several foundational texts, each establishing different political regimes and marking significant shifts in France's constitutional history. These constitutions include the Constitution of 1791, the Constitution of the Year I, the Constitution of the Year III, the Constitution of the Year VIII, and the Constitution of the Year X. Each of these documents reflects the evolving ideals and power dynamics of the time, ranging from attempts at constitutional monarchy to the establishment of a republic. The French Revolution's constitutional legacy is a testament to the country's experimentation with various forms of governance and the pursuit of liberty, equality, and popular sovereignty.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Constitutions | 6 |
| First Constitution | Constitution of 1791 |
| First Constitution Established | Parliamentary monarchy |
| First Constitution Established Date | 3 September 1791 |
| First Constitution Features | Abolished institutions that were "injurious to liberty and equality of rights"; established the Legislative Assembly as the body with sovereignty; allowed the king a suspensive veto |
| First Constitution Committee Members | Talleyrand, Abbé Sieyès, Le Chapelier, Gui-Jean-Baptiste Target, Jacques Guillaume Thouret, Jean-Nicolas Démeunier, François Denis Tronchet, Jean-Paul Rabaut Saint-Étienne |
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What You'll Learn
Constitution of 1791
During the French Revolution, the National Assembly created the French Constitution of 1791, which was the first written constitution in France. It was created after the collapse of the absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime. The constitution retained the monarchy, but sovereignty effectively resided in the Legislative Assembly, which was elected by a system of indirect voting. About two-thirds of adult men had the right to vote for electors and to choose certain local officials directly. However, the franchise was restricted to "active" citizens, who were defined as those over the age of 25 who paid direct taxes equal to three days' labour.
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, while the king and royal ministers formed the executive branch, and the judiciary was independent of the other two branches. On a local level, the previous feudal geographic divisions were abolished, and the territory of the French state was reorganised.
The constitution also addressed the relationship between church and state. The National Assembly wanted to reorganise the social structure and legalise itself, abolishing the tricameral structure of the Estates General of 1789. The constitution abolished many "institutions which were injurious to liberty and equality of rights". The Assembly asserted its legal presence in the government by establishing its permanence in the Constitution and implementing a system for recurring elections.
The greatest controversy faced by the Constitutional Committee centred on the issue of citizenship. The Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen promised equal rights for all subjects of the French Crown, but the committee had to grapple with whether this should be restricted. Ultimately, a distinction was made between active citizens with political rights and passive citizens with only civil rights. This compromise was intolerable to radical deputies such as Maximilien Robespierre, who could never be reconciled to the Constitution of 1791.
The Constitution of 1791 was reluctantly accepted by King Louis XVI in September 1791, but it lasted less than a year. The onset of war and the threat of the revolution's collapse increased the popularity of radical Jacobin and republican ideas, challenging the constitutional monarchy. When the King used his veto powers to protect non-juring priests and refused to raise militias in defence of the revolutionary government, the monarchy was effectively ended by the 10 August insurrection.
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Constitution of the Year I
The French Revolution was a period of great political upheaval, with the country experimenting with various political regime types. The absolute monarchy of the Kingdom of France, under the Ancien Régime, was replaced by several constitutions, marking a significant shift in the country's history. One of these constitutions was the "Constitution of the Year I", drafted on 21 June 1793. However, it is important to note that this constitution was never implemented.
The "Constitution of the Year I" was conceived during a tumultuous period in French history, following the Revolution of 1789. The Revolution had overthrown the monarchy, and the subsequent years witnessed a struggle between various political factions vying for power. The Jacobins, a radical group, seized control of the National Convention in 1793, leading to the establishment of the First French Republic. It was within this context that the "Constitution of the Year I" was drafted, reflecting the ideals and aspirations of the revolutionary government at the time.
This constitution was intended to establish a new political framework for the young republic, marking a departure from the monarchy and the preceding constitutions. It was designed to consolidate the gains of the Revolution and enshrine the principles of popular sovereignty and democratic governance. However, the specific details and provisions of the "Constitution of the Year I" remain unknown, as it never came into force.
The non-implementation of the "Constitution of the Year I" can be attributed to the unstable political climate of the time. France was in the midst of the Reign of Terror, a period marked by radical political fervour and violence. The Jacobins, who had initiated the constitution's creation, became embroiled in power struggles and internal conflicts. The instability and chaos of this period likely hindered the constitution's implementation, as the focus shifted towards maintaining order and addressing more immediate concerns.
Despite its lack of enactment, the "Constitution of the Year I" holds historical significance. It serves as a reminder of the aspirations and challenges faced by the young French Republic during its formative years. The constitution's existence also underscores the importance placed on establishing a robust and legitimate political framework during this tumultuous era. The subsequent constitutions built upon the lessons learned from this period, shaping the evolution of France's political landscape.
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Constitution of the Year III
The French Revolution, which began in 1789, saw the creation of several constitutions. One of these was the Constitution of the Year III, which was established in 1795. This constitution was the result of the Thermidorians' desire to draft a more liberal, moderate, and bourgeoisie-friendly constitution than that of the First Year.
The Constitution of the Year III established the French First Republic and the Directory, a five-man executive branch chosen by lot each year. It replaced the unicameral National Assembly with a bicameral legislature, consisting of an upper body called the Council of Ancients and a lower house, or Council of 500. This change was intended to slow down the legislative process and reduce the wild swings in policy that had occurred under the previous assembly. The constitution also included a ban on slavery and declared colonies to be "integral parts of the Republic," subject to the same laws as the mainland.
The Constitution of the Year III was adopted by the convention on 5 Fructidor Year III (22 August 1795) and approved by plebiscite on 6 September. It remained in effect until the coup of 18 Brumaire (9 November 1799), which ended the Revolutionary period and marked the rise to power of Napoleon Bonaparte.
The Constitution of the Year III was created to address the issues of the previous constitution, which had led to instability and wild swings in policy. By creating an explicit executive body, the Constitution of the Year III concentrated power while also limiting the influence of any one individual or political faction. This was achieved by sharing executive power among five Directors, who were chosen by the Legislative Body and had to meet certain age and experience requirements.
The Constitution of the Year III also included provisions to protect citizens' rights and property. For example, it guaranteed the inviolability of citizens' homes, stating that during the night, no one could enter a citizen's house unless in the case of an emergency. It also included provisions for the protection of public morals and the security and health of citizens.
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Constitution of the Year VIII
The French Revolution, a period of far-reaching social and political upheaval in France from 1789 to 1799, witnessed the rise of multiple constitutions. The Kingdom of France, under the Ancien Régime, was an absolute monarchy that lacked a formal constitution. However, the Revolutionary Era saw the emergence of several constitutional experiments.
One of these pivotal moments came with the Constitution of the Year VIII, also known as the French Constitution of 1799. This constitution was adopted on December 24, 1799, during the French Revolutionary Calendar's Year VIII. It was a significant departure from previous constitutions, marking the establishment of the Consulate and the concentration of power in the hands of Napoleon Bonaparte as the First Consul.
The Constitution of the Year VIII came about following Napoleon Bonaparte's coup d'état on November 9, 1799, known as the Coup of 18 Brumaire. This coup overthrew the Directory, replacing it with the French Consulate. Napoleon, alongside his allies, including Abbot Sieyès and Roger Ducos, seized control of the government. The constitution was crafted to legitimize Napoleon's newfound power and was described by him as "short and obscure."
The Constitution of the Year VIII established a legislature of three houses: the Conservative Senate, the Tribunate, and the Legislative Body (Corps législatif). The Conservative Senate comprised 80 men over the age of 40, the Tribunate consisted of 100 men over 25, and the Legislative Body was made up of 300 men over 30 years old. The constitution also introduced the term "notables," referring to prominent and distinguished men in society, who were chosen by popular vote in each district.
The Council of State (Conseil d'État), established by the constitution, served as an instrument of the executive branch. It had various functions, including drafting laws and resolving disputes between citizens and the state. The constitution tailored the position of First Consul to vest executive power in three consuls—Napoléon Bonaparte, Jean-Jacques-Régis de Cambacérès, and Charles-François Lebrun—but the majority of power rested with the First Consul, Bonaparte. This power dynamic effectively established a dictatorship veiled by the appearance of a republic.
The Constitution of the Year VIII was the first since the Revolution to omit a Declaration of Rights, although it did affirm certain rights, such as the inviolability of the home and personal safety. It established universal masculine suffrage but fell short of providing citizens with a genuine electoral voice. Instead, citizens were limited to creating "Lists of Confidence (or notability)," from which members of the assemblies, consuls, and functionaries were named or elected by the government or the Senate.
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Constitution of the Year X
The French Revolution, which began in 1789, saw a number of constitutions formulated and implemented. One of these was the Constitution of the Year X, which was established during the Consulate on 2 August 1802.
The French Revolution was a period of great political upheaval, which saw the collapse of the absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime. The revolution was driven by a desire to adopt constitutionality and establish popular sovereignty. The National Assembly, formed by the Third Estate, sought to write a constitution that would redefine the French state. The Assembly's belief in a sovereign nation and equal representation was reflected in the constitutional separation of powers.
The Constitution of the Year X was preceded by several other constitutions, including the Constitution of 1791, which was the first written constitution in France. This constitution established a parliamentary monarchy, with sovereignty residing in the Legislative Assembly, which was elected by a system of indirect voting. The Constitution of 1791 also abolished many institutions that were considered "injurious to liberty and equality of rights". It retained the monarchy, with the king holding a suspensive veto to balance the interests of the people. However, it fell short of modern egalitarian standards, as it distinguished between "'active citizens' (male property owners of a certain age) and 'passive citizens', with women being deprived of rights and liberties."
The Constitution of the Year I, formulated on 21 June 1793, was never implemented. This was followed by the Constitution of the Year III, which instituted the Directory on 28 July 1795. The Constitution of the Year VIII, established on 13 December 1799, instituted the Consulate.
The Constitution of the Year X, established during the Consulate, continued the work of the previous constitutions in shaping the political landscape of France. It reflected the ongoing experimentation with different political regime types during the Revolutionary Era.
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Frequently asked questions
There were six constitutions during the French Revolution: the Constitution of 1791, the Constitution of the Year I, the Constitution of the Year III, the Constitution of the Year VIII, the Constitution of the Year X, and the constitution of 1958, which is the one currently in force.
The Constitution of 1791 was the first written constitution in France and was created after the collapse of the absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime. It retained the monarchy but established popular sovereignty by vesting sovereignty in the Legislative Assembly, which was elected by a system of indirect voting. The constitution abolished feudal geographic divisions and established several administrative units with a centralist principle.
No, the Constitution of 1791 deprived women of rights and liberties, including the right to education, freedom of speech, writing, printing, and worship.
