Malcolm Rivera
The French Constitution of 1795, also known as the Constitution of Year III, was established during the Thermidorian Reaction in the French Revolution. It was prepared by the Thermidorian Convention and was more conservative than the 1793 Constitution, which had promised social and economic equality. The 1795 Constitution established a liberal republic with a franchise based on tax payments, a bicameral legislature, and a five-man Directory. It aimed to ensure a moderate continuation of the Revolution, reconciling personal liberty and juridical equality. The document also included provisions for property rights, the inviolability of citizens' homes, and the prevention of political gatherings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Continuation of the Revolution | Moderate |
| Social order | Based on personal liberty and juridical equality |
| Legislature | Two houses |
| Executive body | Explicit |
| Power | Concentrated and shared among five Directors |
| Political gatherings | Prohibited |
| Franchise | Based on payment of taxes |
| Legislature | Bicameral |
| Government powers | Retained, including emergency powers |
| Citizenship | Based on residency, age, and payment of taxes |
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What You'll Learn
The constitution established a liberal republic
The French Constitution of 1795, also known as the Constitution of Year III, established a liberal republic. This constitution was prepared by the Thermidorian Convention during the Thermidorian Reaction in the French Revolution. It was more conservative than the democratic Constitution of 1793, which contained direct democracy and guarantees of social and economic equality.
The Constitution of 1795 established a franchise based on the payment of taxes, similar to the Constitution of 1791. It also created a bicameral legislature with two houses to slow down the legislative process and prevent the rapid passage of legislation. This was a continuation of the National Assembly's belief in equal representation, which was established in the Constitution of 1791.
The Constitution of 1795 also established a five-man Directory, with an explicit executive body that concentrated power. This shared executive power among five Directors, limiting the influence of any one individual or political faction. The Directory had extensive powers, including emergency powers to curb freedom of the press and freedom of association.
The Constitution of 1795 guaranteed the inviolability of property and provided for just indemnification in cases of legally established public necessity. It also guaranteed the inviolability of citizens' homes, with restrictions on entry and domiciliary visits. These measures were designed to protect personal liberty and individual property rights, ensuring a stable social order.
The Constitution of 1795 also addressed citizenship, defining French citizens as men over the age of 21 who were residents of France, registered in the civic register of their canton, and paid direct contributions. This definition of citizenship excluded women and those who did not meet the specified criteria, leading to criticisms of depriving a significant portion of the population of their rights.
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It slowed down the legislative process
The French Constitution of 1795, also known as the Constitution of Year III, was established during the Thermidorian Reaction in the French Revolution. It was more conservative than the abortive democratic Constitution of 1793.
The Constitution of 1795 established a liberal republic with a franchise based on the payment of taxes, similar to the Constitution of 1791. One of the key features of the Constitution of 1795 was its creation of a bicameral legislature, which had the effect of slowing down the legislative process.
The framers of the Constitution of 1795 sought to ensure a moderate continuation of the Revolution, reconciling a stable social order based on personal liberty (i.e., individual property rights) with juridical equality. To achieve this balance, they reduced the authority of the legislature by dividing it into two houses, so it could not pass legislation as rapidly.
The Constitution also concentrated power by creating an explicit executive body, with power shared among five Directors. This diffusion of power among multiple individuals also helped to limit how much any one person or political faction could exert their influence.
The Constitution of 1795 was dominated by the wealthy bourgeoisie, who aimed to maintain political power. This led to the exclusion of a significant portion of the population from their rights as citizens, which was criticised by Thomas Paine as being incompatible with the principles of liberty and equality that the Revolution aimed to achieve.
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It reduced the authority of the legislature
The French Constitution of 1795, also known as the Constitution of Year III, was established during the Thermidorian Reaction in the French Revolution. It was more conservative than the abortive democratic Constitution of 1793. The Constitution of 1795 established a liberal republic with a franchise based on the payment of taxes, similar to the Constitution of 1791.
One of the key features of the French Constitution of 1795 was its aim to reduce the authority of the legislature. This was achieved through several measures. Firstly, the constitution established a bicameral legislature, consisting of two houses, which slowed down the legislative process. By having two houses, the legislature was prevented from passing legislation as rapidly as it could with only one house. This was a significant change from the previous structure, as the French Constitution of 1791 had established a unicameral legislature.
The Constitution of 1795 also concentrated power by creating an explicit executive body. This body, known as the Directory, consisted of five Directors who shared executive power. This distribution of power among multiple individuals and the presence of a separate executive branch further reduced the authority of the legislature by limiting the influence of any one political faction or individual within the legislative body.
In addition to structural changes, the Constitution of 1795 also implemented measures to restrict the activities of the legislature. It prohibited political gatherings of any sort, aiming to prevent the reformation of political clubs or the organization of national political parties. This prohibition limited the ability of legislators to assemble, coordinate, and exert influence as a collective body, thereby reducing their overall authority.
The Constitution of 1795 also addressed the issue of citizenship and suffrage. It defined French citizens as those who were male, over the age of 21, had inscribed their names on the civic register, had resided in the territory of the Republic for one year, and paid direct contributions or taxes. This definition excluded women and those who did not meet the residency and tax-paying requirements from citizenship and the associated political rights. While this provision did not directly reduce the authority of the legislature, it limited the pool of individuals who could participate in the legislative process and influence policy-making.
Overall, the French Constitution of 1795 took several measures to reduce the authority of the legislature. Through the establishment of a bicameral legislature, the creation of an executive body, the prohibition of political gatherings, and the definition of citizenship and suffrage, the constitution sought to strike a balance between stability and personal liberty while limiting the power and influence of the legislative body.
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It proscribed political gatherings
The French Constitution of 1795, also known as the Constitution of Year III, was established during the Thermidorian Reaction in the French Revolution. It was more conservative than the abortive democratic Constitution of 1793. The Constitution of 1795 established a liberal republic with a franchise based on the payment of taxes, similar to the Constitution of 1791. It also established a bicameral legislature to slow down the legislative process and a five-man Directory.
The Constitution of 1795 sought to ensure a moderate continuation of the Revolution, reconciling a stable social order based on personal liberty (meaning individual property rights) with juridical equality. To achieve this delicate balance, the framers reduced the authority of the legislature, which now had two houses so it could not pass legislation as rapidly.
The Constitution of 1795 also proscribed political gatherings of any sort to prevent the re-formation of the club movement or the organization of national political parties. This meant that citizens could only exercise their political rights in primary or communal assemblies and could not collectively present petitions to public authorities. All citizens were free to address petitions to the public authorities, but they had to be individual ones.
The Constitution also stated that every armed gathering was an attack upon the Constitution and was to be dispersed immediately by force. Likewise, every unarmed gathering was to be dispersed, first by verbal command and, if necessary, by the deployment of armed force.
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It guaranteed the inviolability of property
The French Constitution of 1795, also known as the Constitution of Year III, was established during the Thermidorian Reaction in the French Revolution. It was drafted by a committee including Sieyès and presented on 22 August.
The Constitution of 1795 sought to ensure a moderate continuation of the Revolution, reconciling a stable social order based on personal liberty with juridical equality. This meant that individual property rights were guaranteed, with the Constitution stating:
> The Constitution guarantees the inviolability of all property, or just indemnification for that of which legally established public necessity requires the sacrifice.
This meant that the house of every citizen was considered an "inviolable asylum". During the night, no one had the right to enter except in the case of an emergency such as a fire or flood, or a call for help from inside the house. During the day, orders from constituted authorities could be executed.
The Constitution also stated that no domiciliary visit could take place without a warrant, and that corporations and associations contrary to public order could not be formed. It also prohibited political gatherings of any sort, to prevent the reformation of the club movement or the organisation of national political parties.
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Frequently asked questions
The French Constitution of 1795, also known as the Constitution of Year III, was established during the Thermidorian Reaction in the French Revolution.
The Constitution of 1795 established a liberal republic with a bicameral legislature and a five-man Directory. The central government retained significant power, including emergency powers to curb freedom of the press and freedom of association. The authority of the legislature was reduced, and power was concentrated in an explicit executive body, shared among the five Directors.
The Constitution of 1795 aimed to reconcile a stable social order based on personal liberty and juridical equality. It guaranteed the inviolability of property and the right to asylum in one's home. It also established uniformity of weights and measures throughout the Republic.
Critics, including Thomas Paine, argued that the Constitution contradicted the principles of 1789 by depriving half the people of their rights as citizens. Paine advocated for universal suffrage, but his calls were not supported by the Convention, which was dominated by the wealthy bourgeoisie. The Constitution was considered more conservative than the democratic Constitution of 1793.
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