Eleanor Finch
The French Constitution of 1791 was a landmark document in the French Revolution, expressing many values of Enlightenment political philosophy. The Constitution was drafted by the French National Assembly and adopted in September 1791. It was the first written constitution in French history, and its structure and division of power were influenced by Enlightenment philosopher Baron de Montesquieu's idea of the separation of powers. Montesquieu, a French political philosopher, advocated for a separation of legislative, executive, and judicial powers to prevent the abuse of authority by any single entity. The Constitution of 1791 was also influenced by other Enlightenment thinkers such as John Jacques Rousseau, whose ideas on popular sovereignty were reflected in the document.
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What You'll Learn
Baron de Montesquieu's philosophy of separation of powers
The French Constitution of 1791 was a major landmark in the French Revolution. It was the first written constitution in French history. The document was inspired by Enlightenment political theorists such as Baron de Montesquieu, who is known for his philosophy of the separation of powers.
Montesquieu, a French political philosopher of the Enlightenment period, advocated for the division of a government's power into distinct branches to prevent any single entity from becoming too powerful. This idea is known as the separation of powers, and it played a crucial role in shaping the governmental structure outlined in the French Constitution of 1791. Montesquieu's philosophy held that the legislative, executive, and judicial powers should be separate and balanced to prevent the abuse of authority.
In the context of the French Constitution of 1791, the legislative power was delegated to a National Assembly, composed of representatives elected by the people, and the king, who had to approve the laws. The executive power was assigned to the king, but he was required to exercise it with the help of ministers accountable to the government. The judicial power was given to judges, who were elected by the people, ensuring that the judicial branch was also representative of the public.
Montesquieu's philosophy of the separation of powers was based on the idea that power must be used to check power. He argued that by dividing the powers of government and assigning them to different branches, the liberty of the people could be preserved. In his view, the executive, legislative, and judicial functions of government should be kept separate to prevent any one branch from infringing on political liberty. This system of checks and balances ensured that no single branch could dominate and that the powers of one branch did not conflict with the powers of another.
Montesquieu's ideas on the separation of powers have had a significant influence on political thought and constitutional design. His articulation of this theory, presented in his treatise "The Spirit of the Laws" (1748), has been implemented in many constitutions throughout the world, including that of the United States.
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John Jacques Rousseau's popular sovereignty
The French Constitution of 1791 was a landmark document in the French Revolution. It was the first written constitution in French history. The document expressed values of enlightenment political philosophy, including "liberty" and "equality of rights". The constitution was drafted by the French National Assembly and was accepted by King Louis XVI in September 1791.
The Constitution of 1791 was influenced by Enlightenment philosophers such as Baron de Montesquieu and John Jacques Rousseau. Montesquieu's idea of the separation of powers played a crucial role in shaping the structure of the document.
John Jacques Rousseau's theory of popular sovereignty was also a key influence on the Constitution of 1791. Rousseau's political philosophy centred on the idea that people must willingly give legitimate authority to the government through a "social contract" for mutual preservation. In his 1762 text, "The Social Contract", Rousseau proposes that "Man is born free, but everywhere he is in chains." These chains, according to Rousseau, are not natural but are a result of the "right of the strongest" and the unequal nature of power and control.
Rousseau's concept of popular sovereignty argues that the source of governmental power (sovereignty) lies with the people. This idea is based on the concept of the social contract, which states that government should be for the benefit of its citizens. Rousseau believed that recognising any other authority would amount to an abdication of moral agency and that the widespread desire to be represented in self-rule is a symptom of moral decline and the loss of virtue.
Rousseau's theory of popular sovereignty was also influenced by his understanding of the "general will". According to John Plamenatz, Rousseau's concept of the general will can be reconciled with popular sovereignty. Plamenatz argues that Rousseau's view is that the law-making process should stimulate feelings of equality and justice in people.
The influence of Rousseau's theory of popular sovereignty can be seen in the US Constitution, which was written around the same time as the French Constitution of 1791. Popular sovereignty is one of the foundational principles of the US Constitution, giving power and rights to the people.
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The failure of absolute monarchy
The French Constitution of 1791 was a landmark document in the French Revolution. It was the first written constitution in French history, and it expressed the values of enlightenment political philosophy. The 1791 Constitution was a turning point in the history of absolute monarchy, as it drastically limited the powers of the monarchy relative to the absolute monarchy of the pre-Revolutionary era, known as the Ancien Régime. The document was inspired by Enlightenment philosophers such as Baron de Montesquieu and John Jacques Rousseau, and it played a crucial role in shaping the new structure of the French government.
Another factor contributing to the failure of absolute monarchy is the notion of the divine right of kings, which was often used as a theological justification for absolute monarchy. The idea that monarchs had the divine right to rule, and that they alone were God's representatives on Earth, became increasingly questioned during the Age of Enlightenment. The emergence of democratic ideals and the recognition of human rights challenged the absolute power of monarchs and laid the foundation for political theories advocating for popular sovereignty.
The French Constitution of 1791 reflected this shift away from absolute monarchy by incorporating Enlightenment values such as liberty and equality of rights. While the constitution retained the monarchy, it significantly limited the monarch's powers. The legislative power was delegated to a National Assembly, composed of representatives elected by the people, while the executive power was assigned to the King but exercised with the help of ministers accountable to the government. The judicial power was given to judges elected by the people, ensuring representation and limiting the monarch's authority.
In conclusion, the failure of absolute monarchy was multifaceted. The concentration of power in a single ruler led to corruption, human rights abuses, and political instability. The notion of the divine right of kings was increasingly challenged by Enlightenment ideals, and the emergence of democratic values. The French Constitution of 1791 marked a significant shift away from absolute monarchy, limiting the powers of the monarch and establishing a new governmental structure inspired by Enlightenment philosophers. The failure of absolute monarchy paved the way for the development of constitutional monarchies and democratic forms of government that better protected the rights and freedoms of citizens.
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The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen
The French Constitution of 1791 was a major landmark in the French Revolution. It expressed the values of enlightenment political philosophy, including liberty and equality of rights, which are key parts of Western liberal political tradition today. The Constitution of 1791 was the first written constitution in French history. It was drafted by the French National Assembly and adopted on 3 September 1791.
The ideas expressed in the Constitution of 1791 were heavily influenced by the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, which was adopted in August 1789. The Declaration was a statement of human rights that became the preamble of the 1791 Constitution. The drafting of the Constitution was inspired by Enlightenment political theorists such as Baron de Montesquieu and John Jacques Rousseau. Montesquieu's philosophy, in particular, played a crucial role in shaping the governmental structure outlined in the document. His idea, known as the separation of powers, influenced the structure and division of power in the constitution.
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen emerged largely from the ideals of the Enlightenment. The original version of the declaration was inspired by the American Declaration of Independence in 1776. The content of the document was based on a 24-article draft proposed by the sixth bureau, led by Jérôme Champion de Cicé. The last article of the Declaration was adopted on 26 August 1789, by the National Constituent Assembly.
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen introduced a preamble describing the fundamental characteristics of the rights, which are qualified as "natural, unalienable, and sacred" and "simple and incontestable principles" on which citizens could base their demands. The second article defines "the natural and imprescriptible rights of man" as "liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression". It called for the destruction of aristocratic privileges by proclaiming an end to feudalism and exemptions from taxation, freedom, and equal rights for all. The monarchy was restricted, and all citizens were given the right to participate in the legislative process. Freedom of speech and press were declared, and arbitrary arrests were outlawed.
The Declaration also asserts the principles of popular sovereignty and social equality among citizens. It states that all citizens are "equal in the eyes of the law" and are "equally admissible to all public dignities, places, and employments, according to their capacity and without distinction other than that of their virtues and of their talents". This eliminated the special rights of the nobility and clergy.
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The French Revolution
The National Assembly, formed by the Third Estate (commoners), played a crucial role in drafting the Constitution of 1791. The Assembly was influenced by Enlightenment political theorists, particularly Baron de Montesquieu, who advocated for the separation of powers within a government. According to Montesquieu, the legislative, executive, and judicial powers should be separate and balanced to prevent the abuse of authority. This concept was reflected in the Constitution, which established a National Assembly with legislative power, an executive branch headed by the King, and a judiciary composed of elected judges.
The Constitution of 1791 also sought to limit the powers of the monarchy and formalize ideals established in the 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, including "liberty" and "equality of rights." However, it struggled to balance preserving some power for the monarchy while adhering to the ideals of the French Revolution, ultimately leading to its practical failure.
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Frequently asked questions
The Enlightenment philosopher who influenced the Constitution of 1791 was Montesquieu, a French political philosopher.
Montesquieu's idea was known as the separation of powers, which influenced the structure and division of power in the constitution.
Montesquieu believed that a government's power should be divided into distinct branches to prevent any single entity from becoming too powerful.
Montesquieu's philosophy divided power into the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
Yes, in addition to Montesquieu, the Constitution of 1791 was also influenced by John Jacques Rousseau, John Locke, Thomas Paine, and Voltaire.
