Malcolm Rivera
The French Constitution of 1830, also known as the French Charter of 1830, was a significant document in the country's constitutional history, marking a shift from the absolute monarchy of the Kingdom of France to a constitutional monarchy. This charter, promulgated on August 8, 1830, was a response to the popular rebellion of the July Revolution, which overthrew King Charles X. The new constitution aimed to address the demands of the French people for greater political rights and equality before the law, while also establishing the role and powers of the new King of the French, Louis-Philippe d'Orléans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of issue | 14 August 1830 |
| Issuer | Louis-Philippe, King of the French |
| Basis | Charter of 1814, amended by the two chambers on 7 August 1830 |
| Equality before the law | All Frenchmen are equal before the law, regardless of titles and ranks |
| Taxation | Citizens contribute in proportion to their fortunes towards state expenses |
| Employment | All citizens are equally admissible to civil and military employment |
| Freedom of religion | Everyone may profess their religion freely and obtain protection for their worship |
| Personal liberty | No one can be prosecuted or arrested except in cases provided by law |
| Royal power | The king's power to make ordinances for state security is removed; royal ordinances now only concern the application of laws |
| Law initiation | The initiation of laws is no longer exclusive to the king, and members of both chambers can propose bills |
| Suffrage | The census suffrage system was modified, reducing the poll tax to 200 francs for voters (aged 25+) and 500 francs for those seeking election (aged 30+) |
| Law regarding peers | All peerages created during the reign of Charles X are declared null and void |
| Cockade | Only the tri-coloured cockade is to be worn |
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What You'll Learn
The constitutional charter of 1814 was amended by two chambers
The French Constitution of 1830, also known as the French Charter of 1830, was a response to the July Revolution and was an amended version of the Constitutional Charter of 1814. The 1830 Charter was an attempt to establish a more liberal constitution, addressing the wishes and interests of the French people. It was a compromise between the old charter and the desire for change, as it retained some elements of the old charter while introducing new amendments.
The Constitutional Charter of 1814 was a foundational text that established a bicameral legislature, consisting of two chambers: the Chamber of Deputies and the Chamber of Peers. This charter was created after the Napoleonic era and the French Revolution, during a period of transition for France. It was granted by King Louis XVIII, also referred to as Louis Stanislas Xavier, the count of Provence, who became king after meeting the demands of the Congress of Vienna. The charter presented itself as a compromise between the old regime and the new, preserving some acquisitions from the French Revolution while restoring the Bourbon monarchy.
The Chamber of Deputies was made up of deputies elected by electoral colleges, with each department having the same number of deputies. These deputies were elected for five years, with one-fifth of the chamber being renewed each year. To become a deputy, one had to be at least forty years old and pay a direct tax of one thousand francs. The Chamber of Deputies received all proposals regarding taxes, and no tax could be imposed without their consent, as well as that of the Chamber of Peers and the king. The Chamber of Deputies also had the power to petition the king to propose a law on any subject.
The Chamber of Peers, on the other hand, was presided over by the chancellor of France, who was appointed by the king. Members of the royal family and princes of the blood were considered peers by right of their birth and sat next to the president. The Chamber of Peers had jurisdiction over crimes of high treason and attacks against the state's security. The peers had entrance to the chamber at twenty-five years, but only gained a deliberative voice at thirty.
The two chambers enjoyed certain parliamentary privileges, including immunity from arrest. The consent of both chambers was necessary for the passage of laws, and the king had the power to sanction and promulgate these laws. The chambers also had the responsibility of ensuring the present constitutional charter was observed, followed, and maintained.
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The king's power to make security ordinances was revoked
The French Constitution of 1830, also known as the French Charter of 1830, was a significant document that brought about several changes in the country's political landscape. One of the key provisions of this constitution was the revocation of the king's power to make security ordinances. This marked a substantial shift in the monarchy's authority and set the tone for a more balanced distribution of power.
Under the French Constitution of 1830, the king's ability to issue ordinances pertaining to the security of the state was explicitly removed. This meant that the king could no longer unilaterally create or enforce laws related to the security or stability of France. This power had previously been wielded by the monarch, particularly during the reign of King Charles X, who was overthrown in the French Revolution of 1830.
The revocation of the king's power to make security ordinances was a direct response to the abuses and excesses of the previous monarchical regime. King Charles X had frequently used this power to his advantage, often suspending the constitution and rejecting legitimate election results. This prompted widespread discontent and eventually led to the popular rebellion of 1830.
By revoking the king's authority to make security ordinances, the French Constitution of 1830 sought to prevent the concentration of power in the hands of the monarch. This change reflected the ideals of the time, which favoured a more equitable distribution of political power. It also aligned with the broader context of the French Revolution of 1830, which aimed to overthrow the absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime and establish a constitutional monarchy that respected the rights and liberties of the French people.
The revocation of the king's power had several important implications. Firstly, it ensured that the creation and enforcement of laws related to state security would involve a more collaborative process, likely including input from the chambers or other governmental bodies. Secondly, it reinforced the principle of checks and balances, preventing any single individual from having unchecked authority over matters of national security. Lastly, it symbolised a shift towards a more democratic and representative form of governance, where the power to initiate laws was shared between the king and the chambers, as outlined in the constitution.
In conclusion, the French Constitution of 1830, through its revocation of the king's power to make security ordinances, played a pivotal role in reshaping the French monarchy. This provision not only addressed the past abuses of monarchical power but also laid the foundation for a more balanced and representative political system in France.
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Royal ordinances were limited to the application of laws
The French Constitution of 1830, also known as the French Charter of 1830, was a significant document that brought about several changes in the country's political landscape. One of the key provisions of this constitution was the limitation placed on the power of the monarchy to issue royal ordinances. This restriction is closely tied to the context of the time, specifically the events leading up to the constitution's creation.
Prior to the Constitution of 1830, France had an absolute monarchy under the Ancien Régime, where the king held extensive powers and the regime relied heavily on custom and tradition. The French Revolution of 1830 (also known as the July Revolution) changed this. The revolution was sparked by the people's discontent with King Charles X's rejection of legitimate election results and his suspension of the constitution. The uprising resulted in the overthrow of King Charles X and the establishment of the July Monarchy, with Louis-Philippe, a distant cousin of the former king, being crowned "King of the French" instead of "King of France".
The Constitution of 1830 reflected this shift in power dynamics by limiting the king's authority to issue royal ordinances solely to the application of laws. This meant that the king could no longer create ordinances for the security of the state, as this power was taken away from him. The constitution also ensured that the initiation of laws was not exclusive to the king, empowering members of both chambers to propose bills. This marked a significant step towards a more democratic process, where the legislative power was shared between the monarch and the elected representatives.
The limitation on royal ordinances is part of a broader set of changes introduced by the French Constitution of 1830. The constitution, as amended by the two chambers and accepted by Louis-Philippe, emphasised the equality of French citizens before the law, regardless of their titles or ranks. It also guaranteed personal liberty, freedom of religion, and equal admissibility to civil and military employment. Additionally, the constitution addressed various other aspects of governance, including the election of deputies, taxation, and the role of the national guard in upholding the rights enshrined in the charter.
In conclusion, the French Constitution of 1830 played a pivotal role in shaping the country's political trajectory. By limiting royal ordinances to the application of laws, the constitution curtailed the king's power and marked a transition towards a more representative form of government. This provision, along with the other amendments in the constitution, reflected the aspirations of the French people for a more equitable and accountable political system in the aftermath of the July Revolution.
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The king's family was exiled
The French Constitution of 1830, also known as the French Charter of 1830, was a significant document that brought about several changes in the country's political landscape. One of the key outcomes of this constitution was the exile of King Charles X and his family.
The French Revolution of 1830, also known as the July Revolution, was a pivotal event in French history. It was a popular rebellion that successfully overthrew the rule of King Charles X, who had attempted to suppress the constitution and reject legitimate election results. The revolt culminated in three decisive days of fighting from July 27 to July 29, during which armed crowds in Paris and other French cities took to the streets to oppose the king and his ministers. This insurrection was driven by a desire to uphold the principles of constitutionalism and democracy in the face of royal authoritarianism.
As a result of this revolution, King Charles X and his family were forced into exile. This marked a significant shift in the French monarchy, as the revolutionaries sought to replace the old regime with a new system that better represented the interests and aspirations of the French people. The constitutional charter of 1830, which was amended by the two chambers on August 7 and accepted on August 9, played a crucial role in shaping the direction of the country.
The new regime that emerged following the revolution was known as the July Monarchy, or sometimes the Orléans Monarchy, and it lasted until the February Revolution of 1848, which ushered in the Second Republic. During this period, the constitutional charter of 1830 served as the guiding framework for governance. It included several important provisions, such as the equality of all French citizens before the law, regardless of their titles or ranks, and the guarantee of religious freedom.
The exile of the king's family was a direct consequence of the French Revolution of 1830 and the subsequent implementation of the French Constitution of 1830. This event not only removed the monarchy from power but also symbolised the people's desire for a more democratic and representative form of government. It demonstrated the power of popular sentiment and the willingness of the French citizens to fight for their rights and shape the political destiny of their nation.
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The new regime was called the July Monarchy
The French Constitution of 1830, also known as the French Charter of 1830, was a significant document that brought about notable changes in the country's political landscape. This charter, promulgated on August 8, 1830, marked a shift from the previous regime, leading to the establishment of the July Monarchy, also known as the Orléans Monarchy.
The July Monarchy came into being as a result of the French Revolution of 1830, often referred to as the July Revolution. This revolution was a popular uprising against the rule of King Charles X, sparked by the government's rejection of legitimate election results and its suspension of the constitution. The insurrection lasted for three decisive days, from July 27 to July 29, and culminated in the overthrow of King Charles X and his ministers. The new regime crowned Louis-Philippe, a distant cousin of the former king, as the "King of the French" rather than the "King of France," signifying a departure from the absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime.
The July Monarchy, led by King Louis-Philippe, brought several changes to the French political system. One of the most significant changes was the reduction of the king's powers. The new constitution removed the king's ability to make ordinances for state security, limiting royal ordinances to the application of laws. The initiation of laws was no longer the king's exclusive right, as members of both chambers could now propose bills. The monarchy also abolished the law of the Double Vote, effectively doubling the number of electors without significantly increasing the number of taxpayers.
The July Monarchy also witnessed modifications to the census suffrage system. The poll tax (cens) was reduced, allowing individuals aged 25 and older to vote and those aged 30 and above to be elected to the Chamber of Deputies. Additionally, the charter nullified all appointments and creations of peers during the reign of King Charles X, and the institution of hereditary peerage was eliminated. The constitutional charter further guaranteed personal liberty, ensuring that individuals could only be prosecuted or arrested according to the law.
The July Monarchy, with its mix of monarchical rule and constitutional reforms, lasted until the February Revolution of 1848, which ushered in the Second Republic and brought an end to this brief period in France's complex constitutional history.
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Frequently asked questions
The French Constitution of 1830, also known as the French Charter of 1830, was a constitutional text that organised the institutions of France at the time.
The Constitution of 1830 brought about several changes, including:
- The removal of the king's power to make ordinances for state security.
- The elimination of hereditary peerage, though the institution of peerage remained.
- The initiation of laws was no longer exclusive to the king, and members of both chambers could propose bills.
- The census suffrage system was modified, reducing the poll tax and lowering the age requirement for voting and elections.
- The law of the double vote was abolished, doubling the number of electors.
The French Revolution of 1830, also known as the July Revolution, overthrew the rule of King Charles X. The revolt was sparked by the government's rejection of election results and suspension of the constitution. As a result, Louis-Philippe, a distant cousin of the king, was crowned "King of the French" and swore to uphold the new Constitution of 1830.
The Constitution of 1830 established principles such as equality before the law, regardless of titles or ranks, and guaranteed religious freedom. It also ensured that individuals would contribute proportionally to state expenses based on their fortunes.
The French Constitution of 1830 was in force during the July Monarchy or Orléans Monarchy, which lasted from 1830 until the February Revolution of 1848, when the Second Republic was established.
![Epoch of Modern History. The Epoch of Reform, 1830-1850. [London-1882]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41NCvV11eSL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
