Eleanor Finch
The French Constitution of 1791 was the country's first-ever written constitution, created after the collapse of the absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime. It was drafted by a committee of the National Assembly, a group of moderates who aimed to improve royal governance rather than create something entirely new. The constitution redefined the structure of the French government, citizenship, and the limits of government authority, establishing a constitutional monarchy in France.
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What You'll Learn
Established a constitutional monarchy
The Constitution of 1791 established a constitutional monarchy in France. This was a significant change from the absolute monarchy that had previously existed, where the king held all power and could make decisions without any authority limiting his powers.
The new constitutional monarchy meant that the king's powers were now checked by a constitution, and his sovereignty was effectively replaced by the Legislative Assembly, which was elected by a system of indirect voting. The National Assembly, which created the constitution, asserted its legal presence in the French government by establishing its permanence in the constitution and forming a system for recurring elections.
The constitution also amended King Louis XVI's title from 'King of France' to 'King of the French'. This change implied that the king's power derived from the people and the law, rather than from divine right or national sovereignty. The king retained certain executive powers, including the right to form a cabinet and select and appoint ministers. He also had the power to veto legislation, although this was a suspensive veto that could be overridden by three consecutive legislatures.
The establishment of a constitutional monarchy in France was short-lived, however. By 1792, the monarchy had effectively ended due to the king's betrayal and the growing influence of radical Jacobin and republican ideas. The National Convention abolished the monarchy on 21 September 1792, ending the Bourbon rule and declaring France a republic.
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Redefined the organisation of the French government
The Constitution of 1791 was the first-ever written constitution in France, created after the collapse of the absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime. It redefined the organisation of the French government, citizenship, and the limits of governmental powers.
The Constitution of 1791 turned the absolute monarchy into a constitutional monarchy, with the National Assembly forcing King Louis XVI to accept the new constitution. The document established the permanence of the National Assembly in the Constitution and formed a system for recurring elections. The Assembly's beliefs in a sovereign nation and equal representation were reflected in the constitutional separation of powers. The National Assembly was the legislative body, the king and royal ministers made up the executive branch, and the judiciary was independent of the other two branches.
The constitution also abolished the nobility of France and declared all men equal before the law. The king's title was changed from 'King of France' to 'King of the French', reflecting the idea that his power came from the people and the law, rather than divine right or national sovereignty. The king retained certain powers, such as the right to form a cabinet and appoint ministers, and he had the ability to veto legislation. However, the constitution limited his power significantly, reducing his spending and placing him under the supervision of the government.
The population was divided into two classes: 'active citizens' (those entitled to vote and hold office, defined as males over 25 who owned property and paid taxes) and 'passive citizens' (those who did not have voting rights). This distinction was intolerable to radical deputies like Maximilien Robespierre, who could never be reconciled to the Constitution of 1791.
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Guaranteed rights to life, freedom of speech and equality before the law
The French Constitution of 1791 was the country's first-ever constitution, drafted after the collapse of the Ancient Regime monarchy due to the French Revolution. It was created to redefine the organisation of the French government, citizenship, and the limits to the government's powers.
The constitution guaranteed the right to life, freedom of speech, freedom of opinion, and equality before the laws. It also abolished the feudal system, which was a type of social and political system in which the landowner provided land to tenants in exchange for their loyalty and services. The king's power was now limited, with the judiciary, legislature, and executive branches being formed. The monarch was now merely a title, with no authority in France.
The constitution amended Louis XVI's title from 'King of France' to 'King of the French'. This implied that the king's power came from the people and the law, not from divine right or national sovereignty. The king retained the right to form a cabinet and select and appoint ministers, but his spending was reduced by around 20 million livres.
The constitution also established a distinction between 'active citizens' and 'passive citizens'. Active citizens were those over the age of 25, who owned property and paid taxes worth at least three days' labour. They had political rights and could vote and stand for office. Passive citizens, on the other hand, only had civil rights and could not vote.
The French Constitution of 1791 was a significant document that laid the foundation for democratic principles and protected the rights of citizens in France.
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Abolished the feudal system
The French Constitution of 1791 was the country's first-ever written constitution. It was created after the collapse of the monarchy of the Ancien Régime due to the French Revolution. The National Assembly, which had declared itself into being in 1789, promulgated its intention to provide France with a fair and liberal constitution.
The constitution was drafted by a committee of the National Assembly, a group of moderates who wanted to create a better form of royal government rather than something radically new. The committee consisted of 12 members, including two members each from the First and Second Estate and four members from the Third Estate.
The constitution abolished the feudal system, which was a type of social and political system in which the landowner provided land to tenants in exchange for their loyalty and services. On a local level, the previous feudal geographic divisions were formally abolished, and the territory of the French state was divided into several administrative units.
The feudal system limited the power of the king by forming the judiciary, legislature, and executive branches of government. The constitution also redefined the king's role, amending Louis XVI's title from 'King of France' to 'King of the French'. This implied that the king's power emanated from the people and the law, not from divine right or national sovereignty. The king was granted a civil list (public funding) of 25 million livres, a reduction of around 20 million livres on his spending before the revolution.
The constitution thus established a constitutional monarchy in France, with the sovereignty effectively residing in the Legislative Assembly, which was elected by a system of indirect voting.
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Limited the power of the king
The Constitution of 1791 was the first-ever written constitution in France, created after the collapse of the absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime. The constitution redefined the organisation of the French government, citizenship, and the limits to the powers of the government.
The constitution amended King Louis XVI's title from 'King of France' to 'King of the French'. This implied that the king's power emanated from the people and the law, not from divine right or national sovereignty. The king was granted a civil list (public funding) of 25 million livres, a reduction of around 20 million livres on his spending before the revolution.
While the king retained the right to form a cabinet and select and appoint ministers, the constitution limited the king's power by forming the judiciary, legislature, and executive. The National Assembly was the legislative body, the king and royal ministers made up the executive branch, and the judiciary was independent of the other two branches. The constitution thereby established a system of checks and balances, ensuring that the king's powers were limited and that he was subject to the law.
The constitution also abolished the nobility of France and declared all men equal before the law. It guaranteed the right to life, freedom of speech, freedom of opinion, and equality before the law. The king's power was further limited by the right of the legislature to override his veto with three consecutive legislatures.
Overall, the Constitution of 1791 significantly limited the power of the king, transforming the absolute monarchy into a constitutional monarchy and reflecting the principles of the French Revolution: liberty, equality, and fraternity.
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Frequently asked questions
The French Constitution of 1791 was the country's first-ever written constitution, created after the collapse of the absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime.
The key features of the French Constitution of 1791 include redefining the organisation of the French government, limiting the powers of the king, abolishing the nobility of France, and declaring all men equal before the law. The constitution also guaranteed the right to life, freedom of speech, freedom of opinion, and equality before the law.
The French Constitution of 1791 was drafted by the National Assembly, a group of moderates who wanted to create a better form of royal government. The constitution was reluctantly accepted by King Louis XVI in September 1791, turning the absolute monarchy into a constitutional monarchy.
