Question

Discuss how the French Constitution of 1791 was drafted.

Answer 1

Instructions: Cover the following concepts in your answer:

• Drafting of the Constitution​
• Election of the National Assembly​
• Laws in the Constitution​

Solution:

• The French Constitution of 1791 was drafted by the National Assembly which was recognised ​by Louis XVI. ​
• The Constitution separated and assigned the powers to three different institutions–the legislature, executive, and the judiciary. ​
• France, thus, became a constitutional monarchy.​
• The National Assembly had the power to create laws for the country. ​
• It was indirectly elected, which meant that the citizens voted for a group of electors, who in turn elected the members of the National Assembly. ​
• Men who were above the age of 25 and paid taxes worth 3 days of a labourer’s wage were considered active citizens and were allowed to vote. ​
• All other members of the society, including women, were considered passive citizens and were not allowed to vote. ​
• The Constitution began with the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen. ​
• There were a set of rights considered as ‘natural and inalienable’, meaning that these were assigned to the citizens at birth and could not be taken away.​
• Some of the natural and inalienable rights included the right to life, freedom of speech, freedom of opinion, and equality before law.​
• It was the duty of the state to protect these rights.