French Constitution of 1791 facts for kids
The French Constitution of 1791 was a very important document for France. It was the second written Constitution in the country's history. This new set of rules for the government was put in place after the big changes of the French Revolution. It started with a famous declaration called the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. This declaration explained the basic rights of all people.
Contents
What Was the Constitution About?
This Constitution aimed to create a new type of government in France. It wanted France to become a constitutional monarchy. This means there would still be a king, but his power would be limited by a constitution. The king would not have total control anymore.
Debates Over Power
One of the biggest arguments when creating this Constitution was about how much power the king should have. People had very different ideas. Some wanted the king to have almost no power, while others wanted him to keep a lot of it. After many long talks and disagreements, the first version of this Constitution was finally ready in September 1791.
The King's Reaction
Even though the Constitution created a constitutional monarchy, the king was not happy. He was scared of groups like the Jacobins. The Jacobins were a powerful political club who did not like kings at all. Because he was afraid, the king tried to run away from France.
How the Government Was Organized
The Constitution of 1791 was based on an important idea called the Separation of powers. This idea means that the government's power is split into different parts. Each part has its own job.
Three Branches of Government
- Legislative Branch: This part was called the National Convention. Its job was to make the laws.
- Executive Branch: This part included the King and his Ministers. Their job was to carry out the laws.
- Judicial Branch: This part was made up of judges and courts. Their job was to make sure laws were followed fairly. This branch was meant to be independent, meaning it could make decisions without being told what to do by the King or the lawmakers.
Why It Didn't Last
The Constitution tried to create a more modern and fair government. It aimed for a liberal system that would give more power to the middle class, also known as the Bourgeoisie. However, this plan did not work out as hoped. The French Revolution was still going on, and things were changing very fast. On August 10, 1792, the monarchy in France officially ended. This meant the Constitution of 1791, which relied on a king, could no longer be used.
Images for kids
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Proclamation of the Constitution on the place du marché des Innocents on September 14, 1791, by Jean-Louis Prieur, (Musée de la Révolution française).
See also
In Spanish: Constitución francesa de 1791 para niños
