Isabella Carter
The French Constitution of 1848 was passed on November 4, 1848, by the National Assembly, establishing the Second French Republic. This constitution was the culmination of the February Revolution of 1848, which overthrew the Orleans Monarchy and ushered in a new era of republican and democratic ideals. The constitution guaranteed freedoms of speech, press, assembly, and religion, while also proclaiming universal suffrage, the separation of powers, and the hallowed principles of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity. However, it also had its shortcomings, including the exclusion of the working class from certain rights and the setting the stage for an inevitable conflict between the legislature and a democratically elected president, leading to a coup d'état in 1851.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date passed | 4 November 1848 |
| Passed by | National Assembly |
| Number of deputies elected to draw up the constitution | 900 |
| Voter turnout | 84% |
| Composition of deputies | 500 liberal republicans, 150 radical and socialist republicans, 250 monarchists |
| Basis | Combination of the ideas of 1789 with a more conservative spirit |
| Rights guaranteed | Education, ownership, freedom of expression, association, speech, press, assembly, religion |
| Executive power | Delegated to the president |
| President's term length | 4 years |
| President's re-election | Not eligible |
| Legislature | Unicameral |
| Assembly size | 750 members |
| Assembly term length | 3 years |
| Council of State term length | 6 years |
| Revision of the constitution | Practically impossible |
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What You'll Learn
The Second French Republic
In 1848, Europe experienced a wave of revolutions, with many citizens challenging their royal leaders. France's "'February Revolution' of 1848, was the first of these revolutions. The events of the revolution led to the end of the Orleans Monarchy and the creation of the Second Republic. The revolution in France brought together classes with wildly different interests. The bourgeoisie desired electoral reforms (a democratic republic); socialist leaders asked for a "right to work" and the creation of national workshops (a social welfare republic); and moderates sought a middle ground.
On 26 February 1848, the liberal opposition from the 1848 Revolution came together to organise a provisional government, called the Second Republic, which was marked by disorganisation and political ambiguity. The provisional government, influenced by Louis Blanc, passed a decree guaranteeing government-funded jobs. The resulting constitution was a mix of different constitutional traditions, combining the ideas of 1789 with a more conservative spirit. The text ensured the social gains of the provisional government would be lasting, affirmed the right to education, ownership, and freedom of expression and of association.
The French Second Republic witnessed the tension between the "Social and Democratic Republic" and a liberal form of Republic, which exploded during the June Days Uprising of 1848. In December 1848, a nephew of Napoléon Bonaparte, Louis Napoléon Bonaparte, was elected as President of the Republic. Louis Napoléon overthrew the republic in an 1851 self-coup d'état, proclaimed himself Emperor Napoleon III, and created the Second French Empire.
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Universal manhood suffrage
The French Constitution of 1848, passed on 4 November 1848, established universal manhood suffrage in the country. This form of voting rights allowed all adult male citizens to vote, regardless of income, property, religion, race, or any other qualification. It can be summarised by the slogan "one man, one vote".
The French Constitution of 1848 was the result of the Second French Republic, which was established after the revolution of 1848. The constitution was created by a National Assembly of 900 deputies, who were elected by all French men over the age of 21. The assembly was dominated by liberal and conservative factions, with around 500 liberal republicans and 300 monarchists forming the majority.
The constitution established a one-house legislative assembly, which was elected by universal male suffrage for a three-year term. The president of the republic was also to be chosen by universal male suffrage and would serve a four-year term. However, the relationship between the president and the assembly was not clearly defined, which later led to political issues.
The introduction of universal manhood suffrage in France had a significant impact on the country's political landscape. The radicals and socialists, who favoured a more comprehensive approach to social reform, won only about 80 of the 880 seats in the assembly. The majority of seats were won by moderate and conservative candidates, including bourgeois republicans and constitutional monarchists.
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Republican and democratic principles
The French Constitution of 1848 was passed on November 4, 1848, by the National Assembly, the constituent body of the Second French Republic. It was the result of the February Revolution of 1848, which ended the 1830–1848 Orleans Monarchy and created the Second Republic. The constitution was drafted by a national constituent assembly elected following the February Revolution, and it embodied the revolution's republican and democratic principles.
The constitution proclaimed a democratic republic, direct universal suffrage for men over the age of 21, and the separation of powers. It established a single permanent Assembly of 750 members, elected for a term of three years. The Assembly would then elect members of a Council of State to serve for six years. Laws were to be proposed by the Council of State and voted on by the Assembly.
The executive power was delegated to the president, who was elected for four years by direct universal suffrage and was not eligible for re-election. The president chose their ministers, who, like the president, were responsible to the Assembly. The constitution also guaranteed certain rights and freedoms, including freedom of speech, press, assembly, and religion, as well as the controversial "right to work". It affirmed the ideals of "'Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity', which were based on "Family, Work, Ownership, and Order".
The constitution also included measures to prevent a presidential coup, such as prohibiting immediate re-election. However, despite these precautions, the constitution lasted only three years. In December 1851, President Bonaparte overthrew the republic in a violent coup d'état.
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Direct universal suffrage
The French Constitution of 1848, passed on 4 November 1848, was the result of the February Revolution of the same year, which overthrew the Orleans Monarchy and created the Second French Republic. The constitution was drawn up by a national constituent assembly elected by universal manhood suffrage, allowing all French men over the age of 21 to vote for the 900 deputies who would create the constitution.
The new constitution established a democratic republic, with direct universal suffrage and the separation of powers. This meant that the president would be elected by a broader franchise than the Assembly, and was not eligible for re-election. The constitution also guaranteed certain rights, including freedom of speech, press, assembly, and religion, as well as the controversial "right to work".
The right to direct universal suffrage was exercised by French men aged 21 and over, who voted for the president and the Assembly. The Assembly was a single permanent body of 750 members, elected for a term of three years. The Assembly, in turn, elected members of a Council of State, who served for six years and proposed laws to be voted on by the Assembly.
The constitution aimed to prevent a presidential coup and prohibited the immediate re-election of the president. However, it lasted only three years, as President Bonaparte overthrew the republic in a violent coup d'état on 2 December 1851. Despite these events, the French Constitution of 1848 was a significant step towards democracy and the recognition of universal suffrage in France.
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Separation of powers
The French Constitution of 1848, passed on 4 November 1848, established the Second French Republic, proclaiming a democratic republic, direct universal suffrage, and the separation of powers. The separation of powers was a key principle in the new constitution, which aimed to divide governmental powers and prevent the concentration of power in a single branch.
The Constitution of 1848 provided for a single permanent Assembly of 750 members, elected for a three-year term by universal suffrage. This Assembly held legislative power and was responsible for passing laws. The executive power, on the other hand, was delegated to the president, who was elected for a four-year term by direct universal suffrage and was not eligible for re-election. The president had the power to choose his ministers, who were responsible to the Assembly.
The Constitution also established a Council of State, which played a crucial role in the law-making process. The Council of State proposed laws, which were then voted on by the Assembly. This division of responsibilities between the Council of State and the Assembly was another aspect of the separation of powers principle.
Furthermore, the Constitution of 1848 included provisions to safeguard against presidential coups and prevent the concentration of power in the executive branch. For example, it prohibited the immediate re-election of the president and contained other articles designed to forestall a coup. However, despite these precautions, the Constitution lasted only three years, as President Bonaparte overthrew the republic in the coup d'état of 2 December 1851.
The French Constitution of 1848 was a significant step towards establishing a democratic and representative government in France, with the separation of powers playing a central role in its design. The Constitution's influence extended beyond its relatively short lifespan, as it served as a model for later constitutions and contributed to the development of democratic principles in France and Europe more broadly.
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Frequently asked questions
The French Constitution of 1848 was a democratic constitution that established the Second French Republic. It was passed on 4 November 1848 by the National Assembly, creating a single permanent Assembly of 750 members elected for a term of three years.
The French Constitution of 1848 was created after the February Revolution of 1848, which ended the Orleans Monarchy and sparked a wave of similar revolutions across Europe. The revolution was led by radical and liberal factions who criticised the monarchy for being insufficiently democratic and excluding workers from the electoral process.
The constitution proclaimed universal manhood suffrage, direct universal suffrage, and the separation of powers. It guaranteed freedoms of speech, press, assembly, and religion, as well as the controversial "right to work". It also affirmed the principles of "'Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity', with added emphasis on "Family, Work, Ownership, and Order".
The French Constitution of 1848 was short-lived, lasting only three years. It was repealed on 14 January 1852, following a coup d'état by President Bonaparte on 2 December 1851, which overthrew the Second Republic.
