Eleanor Finch
During the French Revolution, the Conservatives were the group that wanted a limited or constitutional monarchy. This desire arose from a need for stability after the upheaval of the Revolution. The Conservatives wanted to maintain a degree of traditional monarchical power while implementing reforms to limit the absolute rule of the monarchy. They believed in the importance of stability and order in society, and their desire for a constitutional monarchy represented a compromise between absolute monarchists and radical republicans. The idea of a constitutional monarchy, where the monarch's power is controlled by a set of laws and basic principles outlined in a constitution, has been reflected in various countries around the world, including the United Kingdom, Belgium, Japan, and Liechtenstein.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time Period | Late 18th century, especially around 1789 when the French Revolution began, and continued into the early 19th century |
| Location | France |
| Supporters | The Conservatives |
| Opposition | The Jacobins |
| Beliefs | Balancing royal power with constitutional limits |
| Stability and order in society | |
| Protecting traditional institutions while accommodating some popular demands | |
| Compromise between absolute monarchists and radical republicans | |
| Examples | Constitutional monarchy of King Louis XVI in 1791 |
| Constitutional monarchy of German Emperor William I in 1871 | |
| Constitutional monarchies of Liechtenstein, Monaco, Morocco, Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Bhutan, UK, Australia, Belgium, Cambodia, Japan, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
- The Conservatives wanted a limited monarchy during the French Revolution
- The Jacobins were against this, seeking to abolish the monarchy entirely
- The Girondins also supported a constitutional monarchy
- The UK is an example of a strongly limited constitutional monarchy
- Constitutional monarchies can be ceremonial or executive
The Conservatives wanted a limited monarchy during the French Revolution
The French Revolution, which began in 1789, brought about significant changes to the country's government and social orders. During this tumultuous period, the question of whether to maintain or limit the monarchy was a subject of intense debate among various factions, including the Conservatives.
The Conservatives, as their name suggests, generally favoured a strong monarchy and were sceptical of any limitations on the king's authority. They supported a more robust monarchical power, believing that it was necessary for maintaining order and stability in France. This stance contrasted with other groups, such as the Jacobins, who took a more radical approach and outright rejected the monarchy in favour of a republic.
The Conservatives' preference for a limited monarchy can be understood in the context of the political dynamics of the time. The early phases of the French Revolution were marked by a struggle between those seeking to preserve the monarchy and those advocating for more democratic reforms. The Conservatives, while favouring monarchy, also recognised the need for some concessions to the growing demands for change. By supporting a limited monarchy, they sought to strike a balance between maintaining the power of the king and addressing the calls for greater political participation and individual rights.
The idea of a constitutional monarchy gained traction during the French Revolution, and the National Constituent Assembly played a pivotal role in this regard. On September 3, 1791, the Assembly forced King Louis XVI to accept the French Constitution of 1791, thereby transforming the absolute monarchy into a constitutional monarchy. This constitution abolished the nobility, declared all men equal before the law, and established a mechanism for an elected parliament. However, the king still retained veto powers, and the constitution proved unacceptable to radical revolutionaries.
The period of constitutional monarchy in France was short-lived. On August 10, 1792, the Tuileries Palace was stormed, and the Legislative Assembly suspended the monarchy. The newly elected National Convention abolished the monarchy on September 21, 1792, bringing an end to Bourbon rule and establishing the French First Republic. This marked a decisive shift away from monarchy and towards a more democratic form of governance in France.
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The Jacobins were against this, seeking to abolish the monarchy entirely
During the French Revolution, the Conservatives were the group that wanted a limited or constitutional monarchy. They believed that this system would balance the power of the king with a parliamentary structure to protect against tyranny and maintain stability. The Girondins, a parliamentary faction, also sought to establish a constitutional monarchy to ensure governance by the people and the preservation of the monarchy.
The Jacobins, on the other hand, were against this idea of a limited monarchy and sought to abolish the monarchy entirely. The Jacobins, also known as the Society of the Friends of the Constitution or the Jacobin Club, were the most influential and famous political club during the French Revolution. They originated as the Club Breton in 1789, comprising deputies from Brittany who later joined with deputies from other regions of France. The club was founded by anti-royalist deputies, and its purpose was to protect the gains of the Revolution and prevent a return to aristocratic rule.
The Jacobins sought strong leadership and pushed for republicanism, universal suffrage, separation of church and state, and other reforms. They favoured free trade and a market economy but were willing to adopt interventionist policies, such as price controls on essential goods. They also advocated for secularism and the establishment of a state-run religion. The Jacobins were closely allied with the sans-culottes, a popular force of working-class Parisians who played a pivotal role in the Revolution.
The Jacobins were associated with extreme egalitarianism and violence, particularly during the Reign of Terror from mid-1793 to mid-1794, when they led the Revolutionary government. During this period, well over 10,000 people were put on trial and executed in France, many for "political crimes". The Jacobins, under the leadership of Maximilien Robespierre, targeted enemies of the Revolution and resisted demands from discontented workers for a controlled economy.
In summary, while the Conservatives and Girondins sought a limited or constitutional monarchy, the Jacobins were against this and aimed to abolish the monarchy altogether. The Jacobins favoured a strong, centralised, and revolutionary democracy, and they played a significant role in shaping the political landscape during the French Revolution.
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The Girondins also supported a constitutional monarchy
During the French Revolution, the Girondins were a political faction that supported a constitutional monarchy. They were influenced by classical liberalism and the concepts of democracy, human rights, and Montesquieu's separation of powers. The Girondins believed in a strong legislature coupled with a weak executive and judiciary, contrasting the authoritarian left-wing Montagnards, who desired a strong executive. The Girondins supported an aggressive foreign policy and constituted the war party in the period 1792–1793, when revolutionary France initiated a series of wars with other European powers.
The Girondins, led by Jacques-Pierre Brissot, advocated for the preservation of the constitution and opposed the dethronement of the king. They supported democratic reform, secularism, and a constitutional right to public assistance for the poor and public education. They were initially part of the Jacobin movement, but later resisted the radical momentum of the Revolution, causing a conflict with the more extreme Montagnards. The Girondins dominated the movement until their fall in the insurrection of 31 May – 2 June 1793, which marked the beginning of the Reign of Terror and the purge and mass execution of the Girondins.
The Girondins were a group of loosely affiliated individuals rather than an organized political party. They were more inclined to work for the establishment of order, which guaranteed their own power. They were the radicals of the Legislative Assembly (1791–1792) and became the conservatives of the Convention (1792–1795). The Girondins' support for a constitutional monarchy reflected their desire for a stable form of government that balanced royal power with constitutional limits, ensuring governance by the people and the preservation of the monarchy.
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The UK is an example of a strongly limited constitutional monarchy
The UK is a democratic constitutional monarchy, also known as a limited monarchy, parliamentary monarchy or democratic monarchy. In a constitutional monarchy, the monarch exercises their authority in accordance with a constitution and shares power with a constitutionally organised government.
The UK's constitutional monarchy has roots that predate the UK itself as a state. Its origins can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon era and the multiple kingdoms that existed prior to the formation of England as a single polity. Over time, the monarchy's powers have been restricted by laws such as the Bill of Rights 1689 and the Act of Settlement 1701, as well as by the development of Parliament. The UK's constitution affords the monarch substantial, yet limited, legislative and executive powers. While the monarch is the head of state, they do not exercise executive or policy-making power and their role is largely ceremonial and representative.
The monarch in the UK has some scope for influence, although it is limited in nature. They are consulted privately on certain decisions and policies, particularly those that directly affect their interests, and they meet with the Prime Minister weekly when Parliament is in session to discuss government business. The contents of these discussions remain confidential, but it is possible that the monarch may have some limited impact on the Prime Minister's decisions.
The UK's monarchy is an example of a strongly limited constitutional monarchy, as described by writers H.G. Wells and Glenn Patmore, who referred to it as a "crowned republic". The monarch's powers are constrained by the constitution and they do not have absolute power, unlike some other constitutional monarchies such as Liechtenstein and Monaco, where the ruling monarchs have significant executive power.
Constitutional monarchies can be ceremonial or executive
During the French Revolution, the Conservatives were the group that wanted a limited or constitutional monarchy. They believed that this system would balance the power of the king with a parliamentary structure to protect against tyranny and ensure stability. This desire arose from the need for stability after the upheaval of the Revolution, representing a compromise between absolute monarchists and radical republicans.
On the other hand, in an executive monarchy (also known as a semi-constitutional monarchy), the monarch wields significant, though not absolute, power. The monarchy is a powerful political and social institution in this system. While the monarch does not have absolute power, they can exert considerable influence on governance. Examples of countries with executive monarchies include Liechtenstein and Monaco, where the ruling monarchs have significant executive power within their small states.
It is important to note that the powers of the monarch can vary between countries, even within the categories of ceremonial and executive monarchies. For instance, in Belgium and Denmark, the monarch formally appoints a representative to preside over the formation of a coalition government, while in Norway, the King chairs special meetings.
Frequently asked questions
The Conservatives.
A constitutional monarchy is a form of government in which a monarch shares power with a constitutionally organized government.
These discussions took place primarily in the late 18th century, especially around 1789 when the French Revolution began, and continued into the early 19th century.
Examples of constitutional monarchies include the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Liechtenstein, Monaco, and Bhutan.
There are at least two types of constitutional monarchies: executive and ceremonial. In executive monarchies, the monarch wields significant power, while in ceremonial monarchies, the monarch holds little to no actual power.
