Omar Bennett
The French Constitution of 1791 was the first-ever constitution of France, drafted by a committee of the National Assembly and passed in September 1791. It redefined the organisation of the French government, citizenship, and the limits of the government's powers. The constitution amended Louis XVI's title from 'King of France' to 'King of the French', implying that the king's power derived from the people and the law, not from divine right or national sovereignty. It also abolished the feudal system and established a constitutional monarchy, with the sovereignty residing in the Legislative Assembly. The constitution guaranteed rights such as the right to life, freedom of speech, and equality before the law. It also retained the monarchy while establishing a system of indirect voting for the Legislative Assembly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Type of document | Constitution |
| Date | 3 September 1791 |
| Purpose | Redefining the organisation of the French government, citizenship and the limits to the powers of government |
| Rights guaranteed | Right to life, freedom of speech, freedom of opinion, equality before the laws |
| Type of monarchy | Constitutional |
| Power of the king | Limited |
| Title of the king | "King of the French" |
| King's spending | Reduced by 20 million livres |
| Legislative body | National Assembly |
| Executive branch | King and royal ministers |
| Judiciary | Independent |
| Voting rights | Granted to "active citizens" (over the age of 25, paid direct taxes equal to three days' labour) |
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What You'll Learn
- The French Constitution of 1791 was the country's first
- The document redefined the organisation of the French government
- It abolished the feudal system
- The king's power was limited, and he was supervised by the government
- The constitution guaranteed rights such as freedom of speech and equality before the law
The French Constitution of 1791 was the country's first
The main controversies early on were the level of power to be granted to the king and the form the legislature would take. One faction favoured a bicameral (double-chamber) legislature and the retention of strong executive powers for the king, including an absolute veto. This group, which included Mounier and the Marquis de Lafayette, was called the Monarchiens or 'English faction'. A second group wanted a unicameral (single-chamber) legislature and a monarchy with very limited power. This group, led by Sieyès and Talleyrand, won the day in the National Constituent Assembly.
The finalized Constitution was created by a range of factors, including the prevailing debates of the day. The principles of Montesquieu were adopted, and there was a separation of powers between the king and his ministers, who acted as the executive, the Assembly, which performed the role of the legislature, and an independent and neutral judiciary. The constitution amended Louis XVI's title from 'King of France' to 'King of the French', implying that the king's power emanated 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 National Assembly asserted its legal presence in the French government by establishing 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. 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.
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The document redefined the organisation of the French government
The French Constitution of 1791 was the country's first-ever constitution. It was drafted by a committee of the National Assembly, a group of moderates who aimed to create a better form of royal government rather than something entirely new. The constitution redefined the organisation of the French government, citizenship, and the limits of the government's powers. It abolished many institutions that were considered detrimental to liberty and equality of rights.
The National Assembly asserted its legal presence in the French government by establishing its permanence in the Constitution and creating a system for recurring elections. The Assembly's belief in a sovereign nation and equal representation is 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 amended King Louis XVI's title from 'King of France' to 'King of the French'. This implied that the king's power derived from the people and the law, rather than from divine right or national sovereignty. While the king retained the right to form a cabinet and select and appoint ministers, his spending was reduced by around 20 million livres compared to before the revolution.
On a local level, the previous feudal geographic divisions were abolished, and the territory of the French state was reorganised. The feudal system, which was a type of social and political system based on the exchange of land for loyalty and services, was replaced. This limited the power of the king and established the monarchy as a title without authority, placing the king under the supervision of the government.
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It abolished the feudal system
The French Constitution of 1791 was the country's first-ever constitution. It was drafted by a committee of 12 members, including representatives from the First, Second, and Third Estates. The constitution was designed to redefine the organisation of the French government, citizenship, and the limits of governmental power.
One of the most significant aspects of the Constitution of 1791 was its abolition of the feudal system. The feudal system was a social and political structure in which landowners provided land to tenants in exchange for their loyalty and services. This system was replaced by a more modern and centralised form of governance.
The National Assembly, which played a crucial role in drafting the constitution, asserted its legal presence in the French government by establishing its permanence in the Constitution and implementing a system of recurring elections. The Assembly's belief in equal representation and a sovereign nation is reflected in the constitutional separation of powers.
The abolition of the feudal system had far-reaching economic implications. Firstly, it removed the feudal geographic divisions that had previously existed. This meant that the territory of the French state was now divided into administrative units, allowing for more efficient governance and economic management.
Secondly, the abolition of the feudal system limited the power of the king. Under the new constitution, the king's authority was curtailed, and he came under the supervision of the government. The judiciary, legislature, and executive branches were established, with the king retaining only the right to form a cabinet and select and appoint ministers. This transformation turned France into a constitutional monarchy, where sovereignty effectively resided in the Legislative Assembly, which was indirectly elected.
In conclusion, the Constitution of 1791, by abolishing the feudal system, brought about significant economic changes in France. It modernised the country's governance, centralised power, and established a system of checks and balances that limited the king's authority. These reforms had a lasting impact on the nation's political and economic landscape.
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The king's power was limited, and he was supervised by the government
The French Constitution of 1791 was the first-ever constitution of France. 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 organisation of the French government, citizenship, and the limits to the powers of the government. It abolished many institutions that were "injurious to liberty and equality of rights".
The constitution amended King Louis XVI's title from "King of France" to "King of the French", implying that the king's power came 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 king retained the right to form a cabinet and select and appoint ministers and generals. However, the constitution also limited the king's power by forming independent judiciary, legislature, and executive branches. 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 was passed in September 1791, creating a constitutional monarchy in France. However, the king's betrayal showed that he had no faith in the constitution, and the constitutional monarchy proved unworkable. The king's veto powers and refusal to raise militias in defence of the revolutionary government led to the monarchy's end through the 10 August insurrection.
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The constitution guaranteed rights such as freedom of speech and equality before the law
The French Constitution of 1791 was the first-ever constitution of France. It was created by the Constitution of French in the National Assembly, a group of moderates who wanted to improve the royal government rather than create something entirely new. The constitution was reluctantly accepted by King Louis XVI in September 1791, and it redefined the organisation of the French government, citizenship, and the limits of the government's powers.
The National Assembly, which drafted the constitution, believed in a sovereign nation and equal representation. This belief was reflected in the constitutional separation of powers. The Assembly was the legislative body, while the king and his ministers formed the executive branch, and the judiciary was independent of the other two branches. This separation of powers limited the king's authority and established a system of checks and balances.
The constitution also addressed the role of the king. It amended Louis XVI's title from 'King of France' to 'King of the French', implying that his power came from the people and the law, not divine right or national sovereignty. The king retained some powers, such as the right to form a cabinet and appoint ministers, but his spending was reduced by around 20 million livres compared to before the revolution.
The constitution's guarantee of freedom of speech and equality before the law was a crucial step towards creating a more just and equitable society in France. It empowered individuals and ensured that all citizens, regardless of their status, were equal under the law. This marked a significant shift from the previous feudal system, which was abolished by the constitution, where social and political hierarchies were rigid and inequality was prevalent.
Overall, the Constitution of 1791 played a pivotal role in shaping the rights and freedoms of French citizens, including the guarantee of freedom of speech and equality before the law. It laid the foundation for a more democratic and just society, moving France away from the absolute monarchy of the past and towards a constitutional monarchy with limited royal powers.
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Frequently asked questions
The French Constitution of 1791 was the first-ever constitution of France. It was created by the National Assembly during the French Revolution.
The French Constitution of 1791 had several economic implications. Firstly, it amended King Louis XVI's title from "King of France" to "King of the French", implying that the king's power emanated from the people and the law, not from divine right or national sovereignty. This change limited the king's authority and established a constitutional monarchy in France. The constitution also reduced the king's spending by around 20 million livres compared to before the revolution. Additionally, it abolished the feudal system, which was a social and political system where landowners provided land to tenants in exchange for their loyalty and services.
The French Constitution of 1791 had several political implications. It guaranteed certain rights, such as the right to life, freedom of speech, freedom of opinion, and equality before the law. It also established a system of indirect voting, with the sovereignty residing in the Legislative Assembly. The constitution defined the roles of different branches of government, with the National Assembly as the legislative body, the king and royal ministers as the executive branch, and an independent judiciary. It provided for recurring elections and equal representation, reflecting the Assembly's belief in a sovereign nation.
