Simone Lawson
The French Revolution (1789-1799) was a pivotal period in European history, transforming France from an absolute monarchy to a republic. The National Assembly, formed by the Third Estate, aimed to draft a constitution to limit the king's powers. This constitution, adopted in September 1791, established a constitutional monarchy, with sovereignty vested in the Legislative Assembly. The franchise was restricted to active citizens who met property and tax qualifications, translating to about two-thirds of adult men. The constitution's impact was short-lived, as the monarchy was abolished in 1792, but it marked a significant shift in French governance, redefining the government's organisation, citizenship, and limits on its power.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time Period | 3 September 1791 to 21 September 1792 |
| Type of Government | Constitutional Monarchy |
| Previous Type of Government | Absolute Monarchy |
| Monarch | King Louis XVI |
| Legislative Body | National Assembly |
| Executive Branch | King and Royal Ministers |
| Judiciary | Independent of the other two branches |
| Citizenship | Active and Passive Citizens |
| Voting Rights | Restricted to "active" male citizens who paid taxes |
| Equality | All men declared equal before the law |
| Feudal System | Abolished |
| Constitution | First written constitution of France |
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What You'll Learn
The French Revolution
The Constitution of 1791, France's first written constitution, established a constitutional monarchy in which the king's powers were curtailed and sovereignty effectively resided in the Legislative Assembly. The constitution was reluctantly accepted by King Louis XVI in September 1791, and it amended his title from 'King of France' to 'King of the French', implying that his power emanated from the people and the law, not from divine right. The constitution also abolished the nobility, declared all men equal before the law, and established a system of recurring elections.
The franchise was restricted to "active citizens" who paid a minimal sum in taxes, which amounted to about two-thirds of adult men. The Assembly also abolished local feudal geographic divisions and divided the territory of the French state into several administrative units (Départements) while retaining the principle of centralism. The constitution lasted less than a year, and in 1792, France became a republic, ending the monarchy.
The king, however, was appalled at the radicalism of the Revolution and the limitations placed on his power. In 1791, he attempted to flee France for Belgium in what became known as the 'Flight to Varennes', which further undermined the monarchy and any attempts at progress. On April 20, 1792, France declared war on Austria, and a series of military conflicts ensued, pitting the French First Republic against several European monarchies.
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The National Assembly
The Assembly was the legislative body, with the king and royal ministers forming the executive branch, and the judiciary was independent of the other two branches. The Assembly abolished many institutions deemed "injurious to liberty and equality of rights", and it asserted its legal presence by establishing permanence in the Constitution and through a system of recurring elections. The Assembly also abolished feudal geographic divisions and divided the territory of the French state into several administrative units or départements.
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The King's powers
The French Revolution, which began in 1789, led to the creation of a constitutional monarchy in 1791. This replaced the absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime, where the king could do anything without any authority limiting his powers. The new constitution curbed the king's powers and established a system of checks and balances.
The king, as the executive branch, still retained significant powers. However, these powers were now limited and balanced by the legislative and judicial branches. The king's powers included commanding the military, declaring war and making peace, negotiating and ratifying treaties, and appointing and dismissing ministers. The king also had the power to appoint the prime minister, although this was usually the leader of the party with a majority in the House of Commons.
The king's role as head of state was largely ceremonial and symbolic. The king's image was used to signify sovereignty and government authority, appearing on currency and government buildings. The king also played an important role in diplomacy and representation, receiving foreign heads of state and ambassadors.
While the king had formal authority over the government, this power was limited by the constitution and could only be used within the constraints of laws enacted in Parliament and according to established conventions and precedents. The king's role was further diminished by the independence of the judiciary, which was established as a separate branch of government.
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The Constitution of 1791
The National Assembly, formed by the Third Estate (the common people) on 13 June 1789, had as one of its primary objectives the drafting of a constitution. A twelve-member Constitutional Committee was convened on 14 July 1789 to draft most of the constitution's articles. The main controversies at the time surrounded the level of power to be granted to the king and the form the legislature would take. The Constitutional Committee proposed a bicameral legislature, but this was rejected in favour of a unicameral one. The committee also proposed an absolute veto for the king, but this was also rejected in favour of a suspensive veto that could be overridden by three consecutive legislatures.
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The Legislative Assembly
The limited constitutional monarchy created in 1791 was the French Constitutional Monarchy, which replaced the absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime. The Constitution of 1791, the first written constitution of France, established a system of government in which the king's powers were limited by a constitution.
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Frequently asked questions
The limited constitutional monarchy created in 1791 was the Kingdom of France, which replaced the preceding absolutist Kingdom of France.
The constitutional monarchy of 1791 was France's first attempt at a national constitution, redefining the organisation of the French government, citizenship, and the limits to the powers of the government.
The key features of the constitutional monarchy included limiting the king's powers, abolishing the nobility and declaring all men equal before the law, and establishing a system of recurring elections.
The National Assembly, formed by the Third Estate of the Estates-General, played a key role in drafting and adopting the Constitution of 1791. King Louis XVI reluctantly accepted the new constitution, which reduced his power.
The constitutional monarchy of 1791 lasted only a brief period, from 3 September 1791 until 1792, when it was replaced by the French First Republic.
