
Proclamation
of the Constitution of 1791
On
the day of the Tennis Court Oath,
the National Assembly had declared that it would
not disband until a new constitution had been created for France.
They completed their task in 1791. The new constitution created
by these moderate revolutionaries declared France to be a constitutional
monarchy. Within this new government, all legislative powers went
to a single Legislative Assembly, which alone had the power to declare
war and raise taxes.
The Legislative
Assembly was an indirectly elected body. It was made up of representatives
selected by Electors, who themselves were elected by "active"
citizens. An active citizen was a male citizen who paid annual taxes
equal to the local wages paid for three days of labor. About two
thirds of the male citizens were able to vote. Only a small number
qualified to serve as either electors or members of the Legislative
Assembly.
The monarch had only limited powers. He could temporarily stop legislation
with a suspensive veto, but he could not veto anything
permanently. He had no control of the army, or any authority over
local government. He had no voice in the new Legislative Assembly.
The
constitution lasted only one year. Even as the constitution was
created, the revolution was turning in a more radical direction.
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