Jonah Patel
The French Constitution of 1791 created a limited monarchy by redefining the organisation of the French government, citizenship, and the limits to the powers of the government. The National Assembly, formed by the Third Estate on June 13, 1789, aimed to draft a constitution that would limit the powers of the king and redefine the French state. The constitution was accepted by King Louis XVI on September 3, 1791, turning the absolute monarchy into a constitutional monarchy. The constitution abolished the nobility of France and declared all men equal before the law, with about two-thirds of adult men having the right to vote. However, the monarchy was short-lived, as it was abolished on September 21, 1792, when France became a republic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time period | 3 September 1791 – 21 September 1792 |
| Previous government | Absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime |
| New government | Constitutional monarchy |
| Monarch | King Louis XVI |
| Monarch's family | Queen, the royal children, Madame Élisabeth (the king's sister) |
| Monarch's powers | Limited |
| Legislative body | National Assembly |
| Executive branch | King and royal ministers |
| Judiciary | Independent of the legislative and executive branches |
| Suffrage | Universal male suffrage |
| Number of men with the right to vote | 4.5 million |
| Number of men with the right to choose electors | About two-thirds of adult men |
| Number of men with the right to choose certain local officials directly | About two-thirds of adult men |
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What You'll Learn
The French Revolution and the Constitution of 1791
The French Revolution, which began in 1789, brought about a series of significant changes in France, including the creation of the country's first written constitution in 1791. The Constitution of 1791 established a constitutional monarchy, limiting the power of the monarch and transferring sovereignty to the Legislative Assembly. This period, which lasted from 1791 to 1792, marked a shift from the absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime to a more democratic form of government.
The National Assembly, formed by the Third Estate on June 13, 1789, played a pivotal role in drafting the Constitution of 1791. Recognizing the need for a written constitution to protect the rights of citizens, the Assembly appointed a Constitutional Committee to draft the majority of the constitution's articles. The committee faced several controversies, including debates over the extent of the king's powers and the structure of the legislature. Despite these challenges, the National Assembly successfully created a constitution that redefined the organization of the French government, citizenship, and the limits of government power.
One of the critical aspects of the Constitution of 1791 was its focus on limiting the power of the monarchy. While the king retained his position, the constitution transferred sovereignty to the Legislative Assembly, which was elected by indirect voting. This assembly was tasked with representing the interests of the public and introducing reforms to align with the principles of the Revolution. Additionally, the constitution abolished various institutions deemed "injurious to liberty and equality of rights," reflecting the Enlightenment notions of equality that influenced the American Revolution.
The Constitution of 1791 also brought about administrative changes in France. It replaced the previous feudal geographic divisions with a new system of administrative units known as "Départements," reflecting the principle of centralism. Furthermore, the constitution abolished the nobility of France, declaring all men equal before the law. These changes challenged the traditional social order and empowered a significant portion of the male population, as about two-thirds of adult men gained the right to vote for electors and choose local officials directly.
However, the constitutional monarchy established by the Constitution of 1791 was short-lived. King Louis XVI's failed escape attempt in 1791, known as the Flight to Varennes, severely damaged public opinion of the monarchy. Additionally, the king's use of his veto powers to protect non-juring priests and his refusal to raise militias in defence of the revolutionary government further alienated radical revolutionaries. The onset of the French Revolutionary Wars and the involvement of foreign powers contributed to the rise in popularity of republican ideals. Ultimately, the monarchy was abolished on September 21, 1792, bringing an end to the constitutional monarchy period and ushering in the French First Republic.
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The collapse of the absolute monarchy
During the reign of Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, state control of culture reached unprecedented heights, with heroic representations of the king reinforcing royal religion and enhancing the regime's prestige. However, as his reign came to an end, some judged the social stability he had created as oppressive to individual freedoms. This led to a "counter-cultural" revolution under his successors, Louis XV and Louis XVI, which brought Enlightenment ideas and values to the forefront.
The influence of the American Revolution also played a role in the collapse of the absolute monarchy in France. In 1783, a French-language edition of the American Constitution was printed, and the creation of the United States initiated severe political and social troubles throughout the kingdom. Additionally, the costly wars between France and its European neighbours further paved the way for the French Revolution and the end of absolute monarchy.
The rise of a merchant class and a more assertive press also contributed to the collapse. The relocation of nobles to Versailles created space for the merchant class to gain influence, and the press began to challenge the authority of the absolute monarchy. The French Revolution, which began in 1789, marked the beginning of the end for the absolute monarchy. The National Assembly decided to create a constitution to limit the king's powers, leading to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy in 1791.
The constitutional monarchy period, from 1791 to 1792, saw Louis XVI's power significantly reduced compared to his time as an absolute monarch. However, the king was increasingly appalled by the radicalism of the Revolution, and his failed attempt to flee to Belgium, known as the "Flight to Varennes", further damaged public opinion of the monarchy. On August 10, 1792, the Tuileries Palace was stormed, and the Legislative Assembly suspended the monarchy. Finally, on September 21, 1792, the National Convention abolished the monarchy, bringing an end to 203 years of consecutive Bourbon rule and establishing the French First Republic.
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The National Assembly and the new constitution
The French Constitution of 1791, created by the National Assembly during the French Revolution, 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 (the common people) of the Estates-General, was a legislative and governing body that drafted the new constitution.
The National Assembly's stated goal was to write a constitution that redefined the organisation of the French government, citizenship, and the limits of the government's powers. It aimed to represent the interests of the public and abolish institutions considered "injurious to liberty and equality of rights". The Assembly asserted its legal presence by establishing its permanence in the Constitution and through a system of recurring elections. It was the legislative body, with the king and royal ministers forming the executive branch, and the judiciary independent of the other two branches.
The Constitution of 1791 abolished the nobility of France and declared all men equal before the law. It retained the monarchy, but sovereignty effectively resided in the Legislative Assembly, which was elected by a system of indirect voting. The franchise was restricted to "active" citizens who paid a minimal sum in taxes, with about two-thirds of adult men having the right to vote for electors and choose certain local officials directly.
The National Assembly renamed itself the National Constituent Assembly on 9 July 1789 and began functioning as a governing body and constitution drafter. The Assembly was influenced by the doctrine of natural right, stating that the rights of man were universal and forming the basis for a nation of free individuals protected equally by law. The old judicial system was suspended in November 1789 and officially abolished in September 1790, with the Assembly declaring the property of the Church to be "at the disposal of the nation".
The National Constituent Assembly decided in the summer of 1791 that the king needed to be restored to the throne if he accepted the constitution, which he reluctantly did in September 1791. However, the constitution lasted less than a year, as the monarchy was suspended on 11 August 1792 following the Storming of the Tuileries Palace, and abolished on 21 September 1792 by the newly elected National Convention, which proclaimed a republic.
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The King's powers and the form of the legislature
The French Constitution of 1791, the first written constitution of France, transformed 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 write a constitution and redefine the French state. The main controversies at the time surrounded the level of power to be granted to the king of France and the form the legislature would take.
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. The king was the head of the executive branch and was still a powerful figure, but his power was now limited by the constitution and the elected parliament. The constitution abolished the nobility of France and declared all men to be equal before the law. It also abolished many institutions deemed "injurious to liberty and equality of rights".
The first French constitutional monarchy was short-lived, ending with the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of the French First Republic after the Insurrection of 10 August 1792. The Legislative Assembly, which was the national parliament of France during the Revolutionary period, was in session from 1 October 1791 until 20 September 1792, when it was replaced by the National Convention, marking the formal beginning of the First Republic.
The concept of a constitutional monarchy has evolved over time, with modern-day constitutional monarchies ranging from countries where the constitution grants substantial discretionary powers to the sovereign, to countries where the monarch retains significantly less, if any, personal discretion in the exercise of their authority.
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The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen was adopted on 26 August 1789 by the National Constituent Assembly during the period of the French Revolution. It was the first step towards writing a constitution for France. The Declaration emerged from the ideals of the Enlightenment, with the original version of the document discussed by representatives based on a 24-article draft proposed by the sixth bureau, led by Jérôme Champion de Cicé. The draft was modified during debates. The Declaration was inspired by the American Declaration of Independence and has since become a reference text, with the Fifth Republic citing its attachment to it in the preamble of its Constitution.
The Declaration proclaims the natural, unalienable and sacred rights of man, with the intention that the legislative and executive powers of government may be continually compared with the aim of every political institution. It asserts that ignorance, forgetfulness or contempt of the rights of man are the only causes of public misfortunes and the corruption of governments.
The Declaration outlines the following rights:
- All men are born and remain free and equal in rights. Social distinctions may be founded only upon the general good.
- The goal of any political association is the conservation of the natural and imprescriptible rights of man. These rights are liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression.
- The principle of all sovereignty resides in the nation. No body or individual may exercise any authority that does not proceed directly from the nation.
- Liberty consists in the freedom to do everything which injures no one else; hence the exercise of the natural rights of each man has no limits except those which assure to the other members of society the enjoyment of the same rights.
- Every citizen may speak, write and print with freedom, but shall be responsible for abuses of this freedom as defined by law.
- The security of the rights of man and of the citizen requires public military forces. These forces are established for the good of all and not for personal advantage.
- All citizens have a right to decide, either personally or by their representatives, as to the necessity of public contribution, and to grant this freely.
- No one shall be disturbed on account of their opinions, including religious views, provided their manifestation does not disturb the public order established by law.
- The free communication of ideas and opinions is one of the most precious rights of man.
The Declaration also calls for the destruction of aristocratic privileges, proclaiming an end to feudalism and exemptions from taxation, and asserting freedom and equal rights for all. The monarchy was restricted, and all citizens were given the right to participate in the legislative process.
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Frequently asked questions
The French Constitution of 1791 created a limited monarchy, turning the country into a constitutional monarchy following the collapse of the absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime.
The French Constitution of 1791 limited the power of the king and abolished the nobility, declaring all men equal before the law. It also abolished many institutions deemed "injurious to liberty and equality of rights".
The National Assembly, formed by the Third Estate on June 13, 1789, had the goal of writing a constitution to redefine the French state. On July 9, 1789, the National Assembly changed its name to the National Constituent Assembly, with its main priority being to draft a new constitution. On September 3, 1791, the National Constituent Assembly forced King Louis XVI to accept the French Constitution of 1791, thus establishing a constitutional monarchy in France.
