Omar Bennett
King Louis XVI of France, the last monarch before the French Revolution of 1789, was forced to accept the French Constitution of 1791, thereby transforming the absolute monarchy into a constitutional monarchy. This came about due to a series of events, including the storming of the Bastille, which forced the king to recognise the authority of the newly formed National Assembly, as well as his failed escape attempt in 1791, known as the Flight to Varennes. Despite his reluctance to ratify reforms, Louis XVI publicly appeared to embrace his new role as a constitutional monarch. However, his resistance to popular demands ultimately led to the forcible transfer of the royal family from Versailles to the Tuileries Palace in Paris.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 1791 |
| Date | 3 September 1791 |
| Duration | 1 year |
| End date | 21 September 1792 |
| Successor | French First Republic |
| Reason | National Constituent Assembly forced King Louis XVI to accept the French Constitution of 1791 |
| King's opinion | Reluctant |
| King's actions | Attempted to escape in 1791 |
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What You'll Learn
- Louis XVI's failed escape plot in 1791 forced him to accept the Constitution of 1791
- The king's weakness and indecision led to the failure of a limited constitutional monarchy
- The National Assembly's Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
- The king's resistance to popular demands caused the forcible transfer of the royal family
- The Girondins' offer to save the monarchy if Louis XVI accepted them as ministers
Louis XVI's failed escape plot in 1791 forced him to accept the Constitution of 1791
The French Revolution (1789-1799) was a period of major societal change and upheaval. King Louis XVI, who ruled from 1774 to 1792, was forced to accept the authority of the newly proclaimed National Assembly, which sought to dismantle the oppressive feudal regime and establish a more equitable society. Despite his endorsement of these changes, Louis XVI's reluctance to embrace the Revolution fully and his surrender to reactionary influences at court contributed to the failure to establish a limited constitutional monarchy in France.
Louis XVI's acceptance of the Constitution of 1791 was influenced by his failed escape plot in June 1791, known as the Flight to Varennes. On the night of 20-21 June, Louis XVI, his wife Marie Antoinette, and their children attempted to flee Paris, hoping to regain freedom and safety from the intensifying Revolution. The escape was largely planned by Axel von Fersen the Younger, a friend of the Queen, and the baron de Breteuil, who had secured support from Gustav III, King of Sweden. The royal family assumed disguises and left the Tuileries Palace around midnight. However, their attempt was thwarted due to various factors, including delays, lack of secrecy, and incompetent royal soldiers.
The royal family's escape travelled faster than their carriage, and vigilant citizens were on the lookout for them. In the town of Sainte-Menehould, the postmaster Jean-Baptiste Drouet recognised the King, possibly from his portrait on a 50-livre assignat. Drouet, an ex-dragoon, rode ahead and alerted the town of Varennes-en-Argonne, where the royal family was eventually arrested and returned to Paris. This incident marked a turning point, as it convinced the nation that King Louis XVI could no longer be trusted, and hostility towards the monarchy intensified.
The failed escape plot had significant consequences for Louis XVI. It forced him to accept the Constitution of 1791, which he had sworn to maintain. However, influenced by Marie-Antoinette, he rejected the advice of moderate constitutionalists and committed himself to a policy of subterfuge and deception. The Flight to Varennes was a pivotal moment in the French Revolution, as it further eroded trust in the monarchy and led to increased calls for the establishment of a French republic. Ultimately, the monarchy was abolished on September 21, 1792, and Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette were executed on charges of counterrevolution.
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The king's weakness and indecision led to the failure of a limited constitutional monarchy
King Louis XVI's weakness and indecision led to the failure of a limited constitutional monarchy in France. Louis XVI was the last king of France, reigning from 1774 until 1792, when the monarchy was abolished.
The French Revolution of 1789 sought to transform France into a constitutional monarchy, rather than a republic. However, Louis XVI's incapacity to rule and his irresolution contributed to the failure to establish a limited constitutional monarchy in France. The king's fundamental character weaknesses became evident, as he was lethargic in temperament and lacked the political insight to recognise the need for compromise. For instance, he failed to communicate with the deputies assembled at Versailles and did not attempt to create a program that might have garnered their support.
Louis XVI's resistance to popular demands and indecisiveness isolated him and led to the forcible transfer of the royal family from Versailles to the Tuileries Palace in Paris in October 1789. Despite his reluctance, he was forced to endorse the destruction of the feudal regime and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen in August 1789. The king secretly continued to believe that the Revolution would fizzle out, and his dismissal of Necker in early July 1789 set off popular demonstrations that culminated in the storming of the Bastille.
The king's weakness was further exposed when he was caught at Varennes, attempting an escape plot in 1791, known as the Flight to Varennes. This plot severely damaged any positive public opinion for the monarchy. Following this, Louis XVI was forced to submit to the Constitution of 1791, which established the Kingdom of the French and abolished the nobility, declaring all men equal before the law. However, he struggled to effectively use his veto and other powers without causing scandal or subversion.
In summary, Louis XVI's weakness and indecision prevented him from successfully navigating the political landscape and establishing a limited constitutional monarchy. His inability to compromise, reluctance to embrace change, and failed escape plot ultimately led to the demise of the monarchy and its abolition in 1792.
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The National Assembly's Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
On June 17, 1789, members of the Third Estate (those members of the pre-revolutionary French parliament, the Estates-General, who were not from the nobility or clergy) declared themselves the National Assembly of France. In response, King Louis XVI, the last king of France, decided to end their deliberations and barred access to their meeting place in Versailles. However, most members of the clergy and a significant number of the nobility declared their support for the new assembly. On June 27, almost all members of the Third Estate swore to stick together until they drafted a constitution, known as the Serment du Jeu de Paume (Tennis Court Oath).
The rights proclaimed in the Declaration include:
- Men are born free and equal, and social distinctions may be based only on the general good.
- Political associations exist to protect individuals' natural rights, including liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression.
- Sovereignty resides in the nation, and no individual or group may exercise authority that does not originate from the nation.
- Liberty entails the freedom to act as long as it does not infringe on the rights of others.
- Citizens have the right to speak, write, and print freely, but they are responsible for any abuses of this freedom as defined by law.
- Military forces are established for the good of all citizens, not for personal gain.
- Citizens have the right to decide on public contributions, grant them freely, and know how their contributions are used.
- No person shall be accused, arrested, or imprisoned except according to the law, and arbitrary orders shall be punished.
- Punishments must be necessary and legally inflicted before the offense is committed.
- All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and any arrest must be deemed indispensable with harshness repressed.
- Citizens shall not be disturbed for their opinions, including religious views, unless they disturb the public order.
Despite his endorsement of the Declaration and his public acceptance of the role of a constitutional monarch, Louis XVI privately believed that the Revolution would eventually burn itself out. He resisted popular demands, which led to the forcible transfer of the royal family from Versailles to the Tuileries Palace in Paris on October 6. Louis XVI's failure to establish a limited constitutional monarchy in France was due to his incapacity to rule, irresolution, and surrender to reactionary influences.
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The king's resistance to popular demands caused the forcible transfer of the royal family
The French Revolution, which began in 1789, was fuelled by a series of events that led to growing discontent among the people, including the rising price of bread, the abolition of the Church tithe, and the Assembly's approval of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen. The revolution also marked the end of what has often been described as the 'liberal' phase of the monarchy.
King Louis XVI's initial response to the growing unrest was to dissolve the Council of Notables and exile the Parlement of Paris, which had refused to approve his economic reforms and demanded political changes. However, his resistance to popular demands and attempts to exert royal authority continued to be met with opposition. In October 1789, an armed crowd set out for Versailles to demand action on prices from the National Assembly. The crowd invaded the palace, and the royal family was forced to address them from a balcony. The crowd demanded that the royal family return with them to Paris, and Louis XVI acquiesced, effectively placing the royal family under house arrest and increasing their vulnerability to the people's influence.
As the revolution intensified, the threat to the royal family's safety grew. On the night of 20–21 June 1791, the royal family, including Louis XVI, attempted to flee Paris, hoping to find refuge in Montmédy, where royalist troops were stationed. However, they were recognised and arrested in Varennes-en-Argonne, marking a significant turning point in the revolution. This incident exposed the king's hostility towards the revolution and prompted calls for dethronement and the establishment of a republic.
The failed escape attempt, known as the Flight to Varennes, had far-reaching consequences. It not only increased hostility towards the monarchy but also contributed to the unworkability of the Constitution of 1791, which Louis XVI had previously accepted. The king's resistance to popular demands and his unsuccessful attempt to flee ultimately led to the forcible transfer of the royal family and their diminished freedom of movement.
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The Girondins' offer to save the monarchy if Louis XVI accepted them as ministers
The French Revolution (1789-1799) saw the overthrow of the Bourbon monarchy, which was officially abolished on 21 September 1792. The last king of France, Louis XVI, was put on trial and executed, along with his queen consort, Marie-Antoinette.
In the lead-up to this, Louis XVI struggled to adapt to the changing political landscape. His initial inaction and failure to communicate with the deputies at Versailles contributed to the failure to establish a limited constitutional monarchy in France. However, he eventually came to publicly accept his new role as a constitutional monarch, visiting Paris after the storming of the Bastille, which led to an increase in his popularity.
The Girondins, a powerful political faction, offered to save the monarchy on the condition that Louis XVI accepted them as ministers. This proposal was a significant development as it presented Louis XVI with a choice between working with the Girondins or risking the overthrow of the monarchy by force. The Girondins, led by Danton, had significant influence in the Legislative Assembly and among the people of Paris. They were known for their opposition to the House of Habsburg and their advocacy for war with Austria, believing that military conflict would pave the way for the restoration of the king's authority.
Despite the Girondins' offer, Louis XVI refused, choosing instead to form a new ministry chiefly composed of Girondin allies. This decision proved to be a pivotal moment, as it united the Jacobins in their project to forcibly overturn the monarchy. Louis XVI's refusal to compromise and his alignment with the Girondins indicated his desire to regain power and influence, which had been gradually stripped away during the Revolution.
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Frequently asked questions
Louis XVI was forced to accept the French Constitution of 1791, thus turning the absolute monarchy into a constitutional monarchy.
The French Constitution of 1791 abolished the nobility of France and declared all men to be equal under the law.
Public opinion of Louis XVI improved, and the National Assembly proclaimed him the "restorer of French liberty".
Louis XVI was reluctant to ratify the texts proclaiming the abolition of privileges and the Declaration of the Rights of Man.
Louis XVI was tried by the revolutionaries and died at the guillotine on 21 January 1793.
