Omar Bennett
The Constitution of 1795, also known as the Constitution of the Year III, was established during the Thermidorian Reaction in the French Revolution. It was drafted in response to widespread dissatisfaction with the extra-constitutional nature of the government at the time and was more conservative than the radically democratic French Constitution of 1793. The Constitution of 1795 established a liberal republic with a bicameral legislature, a five-member Directory, and a franchise based on the payment of taxes. It also included provisions for individual property rights, juridical equality, and the inviolability of citizens' homes. The Constitution concentrated power in the central government, including emergency powers to curb freedom of the press and freedom of association, and it prohibited political gatherings. It remained in effect until the coup of 1799, which ended the Revolutionary period and marked the rise to power of Napoleon Bonaparte.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Established during | Thermidorian Reaction in the French Revolution |
| Year | Year III in the French Republican calendar |
| Prepared by | Thermidorian Convention |
| Nature | More conservative and moderate than the 1793 constitution |
| Type of government established | Liberal republic with a franchise based on tax payment |
| Legislature | Bicameral with two houses to slow down the legislative process |
| Executive body | Five-member Directory with shared powers |
| Political gatherings | Prohibited |
| Citizenship | Granted to men aged 21 and above, with specific conditions |
| Colonies | Declared "integral parts of the Republic" with the same constitutional law |
| Property rights | Inviolability guaranteed |
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What You'll Learn
- The Constitution of 1795 established a liberal republic with a franchise based on tax payments
- It created a bicameral legislature to slow down the legislative process
- The constitution concentrated power by creating an explicit executive body
- It proscribed political gatherings to prevent the reformation of the club movement
- The constitution was more conservative than the radically democratic Constitution of 1793
The Constitution of 1795 established a liberal republic with a franchise based on tax payments
The Constitution of 1795, also known as the Constitution of the Year III, was established during the Thermidorian Reaction in the French Revolution. It was drafted by a committee assigned by the Convention, which included Sieyès, in response to widespread dissatisfaction with the extra-constitutional nature of the government at the time. The Constitution was intended to be more liberal, moderate, and favourable to the bourgeoisie than its predecessor, the Constitution of 1793.
The Constitution of 1795 concentrated power in an explicit executive body, known as the Directory, which consisted of five members appointed by the Legislative Body. This distribution of power among multiple individuals was intended to limit the influence of any single person or political faction. The Directory was responsible for appointing various administrative positions, including the collector of direct taxes and superintendents-in-chief for the administration of indirect taxes and national domains.
To further maintain stability and order, the Constitution of 1795 prohibited political gatherings of any sort, aiming to prevent the reformation of clubs or the organisation of national political parties. This was part of a broader effort to reconcile personal liberty, in the form of individual property rights, with juridical equality and social stability. The Constitution also included provisions to protect citizens' rights and property, such as guaranteeing the inviolability of citizens' homes and ensuring just indemnification for property sacrificed for legally established public necessity.
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It created a bicameral legislature to slow down the legislative process
The Constitution of 1795, also known as the Constitution of the Year III, was established during the Thermidorian Reaction in the French Revolution. It was drafted by a committee assigned by the Convention, which included Sieyès, and was presented on 22 August 1795. The Constitution was approved by plebiscite on 6 September 1795.
The Constitution of 1795 created a bicameral legislature with the aim of slowing down the legislative process. This legislature consisted of an upper body known as the Council of Ancients and a lower house, or Council of 500. This was a reaction to the rapid swings in policy resulting from the unicameral National Assembly, Legislative Assembly, and National Convention.
The creation of a bicameral legislature was intended to reduce the authority of the legislature and prevent it from passing legislation too quickly. This was part of a broader effort to reconcile a stable social order based on personal liberty and juridical equality, rather than direct democracy.
The Constitution of 1795 also established a five-man Directory, with power shared among the five Directors, further limiting the influence of any one individual or political faction. This concentration of power in an explicit executive body was a significant feature of the Constitution's design.
Overall, the establishment of a bicameral legislature in the Constitution of 1795 was a key mechanism to moderate the pace of legislation and promote stability in the wake of the French Revolution.
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The constitution concentrated power by creating an explicit executive body
The Constitution of 1795, also known as the Constitution of the 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 1795. This constitution sought to ensure a moderate continuation of the Revolution, reconciling a stable social order based on personal liberty and juridical equality.
One of the key effects of the Constitution of 1795 was the concentration of power through the creation of an explicit executive body. This body, known as the Directory, consisted of five members appointed by the Legislative Body. The Directory was given a wide range of powers, including the appointment of public functionaries in the French colonies, the collection of taxes, and the administration of national domains. The central government retained significant power, including emergency powers to curb freedom of the press and freedom of association.
The creation of the Directory was intended to share executive power among multiple individuals, preventing any one person or political faction from exerting too much influence. This diffusion of power was a key feature of the Constitution's design, aiming to maintain stability and balance in the wake of the Revolution's upheaval.
The Directory was responsible for executing the laws and orders of the state. The ministers were jointly and severally responsible for the non-execution of laws and orders, ensuring accountability within the executive body. The Directory also played a role in appointing special agents to perform its duties in the French colonies, further extending its influence and control.
The Constitution of 1795's establishment of an explicit executive body, the Directory, concentrated power in a structured and accountable manner. This move towards a more centralized authority aimed to provide stability and balance to the French Republic, emerging from the chaos and instability of the Revolutionary period.
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It proscribed political gatherings to prevent the reformation of the club movement
The Constitution of 1795, also known as the Constitution of the 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 1795. This constitution sought to ensure a moderate continuation of the Revolution, reconciling a stable social order based on personal liberty and juridical equality.
To achieve this balance, the framers of the Constitution of 1795 reduced the authority of the legislature and created a bicameral structure with two houses, slowing down the legislative process. This constitution also established an explicit executive body, concentrating power and limiting the influence of any individual or political faction by sharing executive power among five Directors.
One significant effect of the Constitution of 1795 was its proscription of political gatherings of any sort. This measure was intended to prevent the reformation of the club movement and the organization of national political parties. The framers aimed to curb the rapid formation of political clubs and factions that had characterized the previous years of the French Revolution.
The Constitution of 1795 also made specific provisions regarding gatherings and petitions. Citizens were allowed to exercise their political rights only in primary or communal assemblies. While citizens could address petitions to the public authorities, these had to be individual petitions, and no associations or groups could present collective petitions, except for constituted authorities and only within their competence. The Constitution mandated that any armed gathering was to be considered an attack on the Constitution and was to be dispersed immediately by force. Similarly, unarmed gatherings were to be dispersed first by verbal command and then, if necessary, by force.
The proscription of political gatherings was part of a broader effort to stabilize the political situation in France following the Revolution. The framers of the Constitution of 1795 sought to balance individual liberties with a stable social order, and preventing large political gatherings was seen as a necessary measure to maintain order and prevent the rapid formation of political factions.
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The constitution was more conservative than the radically democratic Constitution of 1793
The Constitution of 1795, also known as the Constitution of the Year III, was established during the Thermidorian Reaction in the French Revolution. It was more conservative than the radically democratic Constitution of 1793, which was never implemented. The Constitution of 1795 established a liberal republic with a franchise based on the payment of taxes, similar to the Constitution of 1791. It created a bicameral legislature with two houses to slow down the legislative process and prevent the rapid passage of legislation.
The Constitution of 1795 concentrated power in an explicit executive body, a five-man Directory, while also limiting the power of any individual or political faction by sharing executive power among the five Directors. This was a reaction to the wild swings of policy resulting from a unicameral National Assembly, Legislative Assembly, and National Convention. The Directory was given broad powers, including emergency powers to curb freedom of the press and freedom of association.
The Constitution of 1795 also proscribed political gatherings of any sort to prevent the reformation of the club movement or the organisation of national political parties. It established the status of citizen, which was reserved for men aged 21 and above who met certain residency and tax payment requirements. Citizenship was granted without the condition of direct contribution to those who had "carried out one or multiple campaigns for the establishment of the Republic".
The Constitution of 1795 was intended to be more liberal, moderate, and favourable to the bourgeoisie than the Constitution of 1793. It sought to ensure a moderate continuation of the Revolution, reconciling a stable social order based on personal liberty and individual property rights with juridical equality. It was largely the work of the political theorist Pierre Daunou and was presented on 22 August 1795, before being approved by plebiscite on 6 September of that year.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution of 1795, also known as the Constitution of the Year III, was the constitution of the French First Republic. It was established during the Thermidorian Reaction in the French Revolution, following the fall of Robespierre and the overthrowing of the Revolutionary Government.
The Constitution of 1795 established a liberal republic with a franchise based on the payment of taxes. It introduced a bicameral legislature with two houses to slow down the legislative process and prevent rapid changes in legislation. It also concentrated power in a five-member Directory, limiting the influence of any single individual or faction.
The Constitution of 1795 guaranteed individual property rights and juridical equality. It provided for the inviolability of property and just compensation in cases of public necessity. It also outlined provisions for the protection of public morals, health, and safety, as well as the compensation of inventors and the maintenance of their exclusive ownership rights.
