Malcolm Rivera
France has had several periods of constitutional monarchy, including under Louis XVI from 1791 to 1792, and during the July monarchy and the Bonapartist empires. The country's monarchy was abolished after its defeat by Prussia in 1870, and France became a republic. However, a non-sovereign form of monarchy remains in France, with the three traditional kings of Wallis and Futuna recognised under Article 75 of the Constitution. Monarchism in France refers to the advocacy for the restoration of a mostly constitutional monarchy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Government | Constitutional monarchy |
| Powers of the Monarch | Bound by the constitution |
| Monarch's Title | King of the French |
| Highest Authority | Law |
| Voting Population | Limited |
| Date of Enactment | 3rd September 1791 |
| Duration | 4 September 1791 to 10 August 1792 |
| Number of Members in Assembly | 745 |
| Number of Passive Members who Elected Assembly Members | 50,000 |
| Number of National Assembly Members | 144 |
| Number of Legislative Assembly Members | N/A |
| Number of Frenchmen with Voting Ability | 4.5 million |
| Number of People who could Vote in England in 1780 | 214,000 |
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What You'll Learn
The French Constitution of 1791
The constitution redefined the organisation of the French government, citizenship, and the limits of the government's powers. It abolished many institutions that were deemed to be "injurious to liberty and equality of rights". The National Assembly established its legal presence in the government by asserting its permanence in the Constitution and forming a system for recurring elections. The Assembly's belief in a sovereign nation and equal representation was 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.
One of the greatest controversies faced by the committee was the issue of citizenship. Would every subject of the French Crown be given equal rights, as the Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen seemed to promise, or would there be some restrictions? In the end, a distinction was made between "active citizens" (those over the age of 25 who paid direct taxes equal to three days' labour and had political rights) and "passive citizens", who only had civil rights.
The main controversies early in the process concerned the level of power to be granted to the king and the structure of the legislature. The Constitutional Committee proposed a bicameral legislature, but this was defeated in favour of a unicameral system. The committee also proposed an absolute veto for the king, but this was defeated in favour of a suspensive veto, which could be overridden by three consecutive legislatures.
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The monarchy's collapse
If France were to become a constitutional monarchy, it would involve a significant transformation of the country's political system and a departure from its long tradition of republicanism. However, it is important to consider the potential challenges and consequences that could arise, including the possibility of a monarchy's collapse. Here is a fictional account of how that could unfold:
The French Constitutional Monarchy, established in the early 21st century, faced a tumultuous period marked by social unrest, political infighting, and a gradual erosion of support for the monarchy. The ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity, deeply ingrained in the French consciousness, continued to resonate with the people, and the memory of the French Revolution remained a powerful symbol. While the constitutional monarchy was intended to strike a balance between tradition and democracy, a series of events gradually undermined its stability. Economic crises, rising inequality, and a sense of disillusionment with the political elite fomented discontent among the populace. Protests and demonstrations became frequent occurrences, with calls for greater social justice and a more direct form of democracy.
The monarchy found itself struggling to adapt to the changing demands of the French people. Attempts at reform were often met with resistance from both traditionalist factions within the monarchy and more radical elements among the populace, leaving the monarchy caught between two opposing forces. The monarch, once a symbol of unity and stability, became a target of criticism and a lightning rod for the people's frustrations. Public opinion turned against the monarchy, fueled by a growing sense that it was an outdated and ineffective form of governance. Political parties advocating for a return to a republican form of government gained traction, tapping into the deep-rooted republican traditions of France.
As support for the monarchy waned, the political landscape shifted dramatically. Republican parties formed coalitions, gaining a strong majority in the legislature. They capitalized on the widespread dissatisfaction and channeled it into a powerful political movement. The monarch, facing increasing isolation and a loss of legitimacy, was forced into a symbolic role, stripped of any meaningful power. Eventually, a national referendum was held, offering the French people a choice between continuing the constitutional monarchy or establishing a new republic. The result was a decisive victory for the republicans, marking a historic turning point.
The collapse of the monarchy was not without its challenges and controversies. There were debates over the role of the monarchical legacy in the new republic, with some advocating for a complete break from the past and others arguing for a more nuanced approach that acknowledged the complex history of France. Nonetheless, the transition to a new republican era proceeded, shaped by the ideals of democracy, participation, and social justice that had driven the monarchy's collapse. While the specifics of this fictional account are speculative, they highlight the potential challenges and dynamics that could contribute to the downfall of a constitutional monarchy in France.
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Monarchist movements
Monarchism in France is the advocacy for the restoration of a constitutional monarchy, which was abolished after the 1870 defeat by Prussia. French monarchist movements are divided into three groups: the Legitimists, the Orléanists, and the Bonapartists.
The Orléanists supported a constitutional government, while the Bonapartists wanted a ""strongman" ruler with a façade of democracy. The Orléanists gained control of the majority of the Assemblies after the 1870 defeat by Prussia and the crushing of the 1871 Paris Commune. However, the intransigence of the Count of Chambord, who refused to abandon the royalist flag, forced the Legitimists to abandon the political arena, while some of the more liberal Orléanists rallied to the Third Republic.
The Bonapartists, on the other hand, were associated with Napoleon III, whose Second Empire started off quite absolutist, with harsh repressive measures and censorship. Over time, however, the Second Empire liberalized, resembling the level of autocracy present in Prussia by the end of its reign.
The French Constitution of 1791, the first written constitution of France, turned the country into a constitutional monarchy following the collapse of the absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime. The National Assembly, formed by the Third Estate, aimed to draft a constitution that redefined the French state, particularly regarding the level of power granted to the king and the form of the legislature. The king's official title was changed from 'King of France' to 'King of the French', indicating that his power derived from the people rather than any divine right. The law became the highest authority, and the king was granted a suspensive veto to balance the interests of the people.
The constitutional monarchy period began with the enactment of the Constitution of 1791, which replaced the National Constituent Assembly with the Legislative Assembly. However, this system proved unsustainable due to the king's growing discomfort with the radicalism of the Revolution, leading to his failed escape attempt known as the 'Flight to Varennes'. The constitutional monarchy ultimately collapsed on 10 August 1792, when the Paris sans-culottes overthrew the monarchy and declared the start of a Republic.
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The Orleanists
The term "Orleanist" was originally used to describe supporters of a constitutional monarchy under the House of Orléans. There were three distinct phases of Orleanism, owing to the radical political changes that occurred during the 19th century in France. The first was pure Orleanism, which supported the constitutional reign of Louis Philippe I after the 1830 July Revolution. This group demonstrated liberal and moderate ideas. The second phase was fusionist (or "unionist") Orleanism, which was formed by pure Orleanists and Legitimists who supported Philippe, Count of Paris, as the successor to Henri, Count of Chambord, who died without an heir in 1883. This fusion drove the movement towards more conservative stances, emphasising French nationality and Catholicism. The third phase is less clear, but it appears that some Orleanists became more conservative, standing for the consolidation of the dynasty, while others became more liberal, advocating for the spread of liberalism and progressive extension of the franchise.
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The Bonapartists
However, this period of constitutional monarchy was short-lived, ending in 1792 when the Paris sans-culottes stormed the Tuileries Palace, imprisoned the king, and declared the start of a Republic. The king had lost credibility with the public, and the radicalism of the Revolution proved too much for him, leading him to attempt an escape from France.
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Frequently asked questions
A constitutional monarchy is a form of government where the powers of the monarch are bound by the constitution and shared with a constitutionally formed government.
Yes, France became a constitutional monarchy on 3rd September 1791. This followed the collapse of the absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime.
The transition was sparked by a march among women in the marketplaces of Paris in October 1789, who were rioting over the high price and scarcity of bread. Their demonstrations intertwined with the activities of revolutionaries, who were seeking liberal political reforms and a constitutional monarchy. This led to the National Assembly drafting the Constitution of 1791, which turned France into a constitutional monarchy.
No, the constitutional monarchy in France was short-lived. It lasted from 4 September 1791 until 10 August 1792. The king, Louis XVI, was becoming increasingly appalled at the radicalism of the Revolution and decided to flee France, leading to the collapse of the constitutional monarchy and the start of a Republic.
