Question

What were the main features of the Constitution of 1791?

Answer 1

The main features of the Constitution of 1791 are given below:
(i) France became a Constitutional monarchy. The powers of the king were reduced to a great extent.
(ii) These powers instead of being concentrated in the hands of one person, were now separated and assigned to different institutionsthe legislature, executive and judiciary. This made France a constitutional monarchy.
(iii) The Constitution of 1791 vested the power to make laws in the National Assembly, which was indirectly elected i.e. citizens voted for a group of electors, who in turn chose the Assembly.
(iv) Only men above 25 years of age who paid taxes equal to at least 3 days of a labourer's wage were given the right to vote. It means they were active citizens. The remaining men and all women were classed as passive citizens.
(v) To qualify as an elector and then as a member of the assembly a man had to belong to the highest bracket of tax payers.
(vi) The constitution began with a Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen. Rights such as the right to life, freedom of speech, freedom of opinion, equality before law could now be availed by each human being by birth.