Malcolm Rivera
France became a constitutional monarchy on 3 September 1791, when the National Constituent Assembly forced King Louis XVI to accept the French Constitution of 1791, thus turning the absolute monarchy into a constitutional monarchy. This was the first written constitution in France, created after the collapse of the absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime. The constitutional monarchy was short-lived, lasting only until 21 September 1792 when it was succeeded by the French First Republic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 3 September 1791 - 21 September 1792 |
| Previous form of government | Absolute monarchy |
| Constitution | First written constitution in France |
| Monarch | King Louis XVI |
| Monarch's powers | Limited and shared with a constitutionally formed government |
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What You'll Learn
The French Constitution of 1791
France was the first constitutional monarchy, lasting from 3 September 1791 until 21 September 1792. The French Constitution of 1791 was the first written constitution in France. It was created after the collapse of the absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime.
The constitution was drafted by a twelve-member Constitutional Committee, which was convened on 14 July 1789. The National Assembly, under the leadership of Mirabeau and Sieyes, completed the constitution in 1791. The constitution was reluctantly accepted by King Louis XVI, who was forced to limit his power and share it with a constitutionally formed government.
The constitution redefined the organisation of the French government, citizenship and the limits to the powers of government. It abolished many "institutions which were injurious to liberty and equality of rights". The National Assembly established its legal presence in the French government by asserting its permanence in the Constitution and forming a system for recurring elections. The Assembly's belief in a sovereign nation and in equal representation can be seen in the constitutional separation of powers. Powers were divided among the legislature, executive, and judiciary.
The constitutional monarchy was short-lived. On 1 October 1791, the French Legislative Assembly convened in Paris, initiating the constitutional regime that revolutionaries in 1789 had committed themselves to establish. Within a year, the monarchy had been overthrown, and the Constitution of 1791 had collapsed. The King's use of his veto powers to protect non-juring priests and his refusal to raise militias in defence of the revolutionary government proved unacceptable to radical revolutionaries. The monarchy was effectively ended by the August 10 Insurrection.
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The collapse of the absolute monarchy
France became a constitutional monarchy on 3 September 1791, when King Louis XVI was forced to accept the French Constitution of 1791, thus turning the absolute monarchy into a constitutional monarchy. This was the first written constitution in France. The absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime had governed France for 948 years.
The constitutional monarchy was short-lived, however. When the King used his veto powers to protect non-juring priests and refused to raise militias in defence of the revolutionary government, the constitutional monarchy proved unacceptable to radical revolutionaries. On 10 August 1792, the Tuileries Palace was stormed, and the following day the Legislative Assembly suspended the constitutional monarchy. The monarchy was finally abolished on 21 September 1792, bringing an end to 203 years of consecutive Bourbon rule over France.
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The role of the King in France
France became a constitutional monarchy on 3 September 1791, when the National Constituent Assembly forced King Louis XVI to accept the French Constitution of 1791. This ended 948 years of absolute monarchy, during which the king had been the absolute ruler of France.
Under the new constitutional monarchy, the king's powers were limited and shared with a constitutionally formed government. The National Assembly, led by Mirabeau and Sieyes, divided powers among the legislature, executive, and judiciary. The king remained the head of the assembly, but his powers were no longer concentrated in his hands and were instead shared among the assembly's members.
Despite the establishment of the constitutional monarchy, the king retained some significant powers. For example, he could use his veto powers to protect non-juring priests and refuse to raise militias in defence of the revolutionary government. This proved unacceptable to radical revolutionaries, who sought to establish popular sovereignty and limit the king's influence further.
The constitutional monarchy in France was short-lived, lasting only about a year. On 10 August 1792, the Storming of the Tuileries Palace took place, and the Legislative Assembly suspended the constitutional monarchy. The monarchy was officially abolished on 21 September 1792, with the proclamation of the French First Republic. The role of the king in France was finally ended with the execution of Louis XVI by guillotine on 21 January 1793.
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The National Constituent Assembly
France was a constitutional monarchy from 3 September 1791 until 21 September 1792. On 3 September 1791, the National Constituent Assembly forced King Louis XVI to accept the French Constitution of 1791, thus turning the absolute monarchy into a constitutional monarchy.
The Assembly's first major act was to abolish the feudal system and declare the equality of all citizens before the law. They also passed a series of reforms, including the abolition of noble privileges, the establishment of freedom of religion, and the creation of a system of representative government.
The Assembly faced significant opposition from both the monarchy and the more radical revolutionaries. King Louis XVI initially resisted the Assembly's efforts to limit his power, and he even attempted to flee the country in 1791. However, he was captured and forced to accept the new constitution.
Despite the Assembly's efforts to create a more democratic and representative form of government, they were ultimately unable to prevent the country from descending into chaos and violence. The French Revolution became increasingly radical, and the Assembly was replaced by more extreme governments, including the Legislative Assembly and the National Convention, which eventually abolished the monarchy altogether in 1792.
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The French First Republic
France was a constitutional monarchy from 3 September 1791 until 21 September 1792, when it was succeeded by the French First Republic. On 3 September 1791, the National Constituent Assembly forced King Louis XVI to accept the French Constitution of 1791, thus turning the absolute monarchy into a constitutional monarchy.
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Frequently asked questions
No, France was a constitutional monarchy from 3 September 1791 until 21 September 1792, when it was succeeded by the French First Republic.
The absolute monarchy had governed France for 948 years.
King Louis XVI.
The French Constitution of 1791.
