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Unit 6AFrance: Constitutions

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Title: Unit 6AFrance: Constitutions

1
Unit 6A-France Constitutions

2
Guiding Questions

1) How do we classify the French system of
government?
2) How has the French Revolution and subsequent
republics shaped modern French politics?
3) How has the relationship between the
presidency and the legislature developed over
time?

3
France-Constitutional Overview

4
France-Constitutional Overview

5
French First Republic (1792-1799)

Revolution (1789) was a response to absolute rule
by the Bourbon dynasty.
Declarations of the Rights of Man and the
Citizen.
Constitutional monarchy attempted, but overthrown
in 1791.
Political instability set the stage for the
seizure of power by Napoleon I (Brummaire 10
November 1799).
Empire collapses Bourbon monarchy restored in
1814.

6
Monarchy Restored

Retained merit based civil service and system of
laws.
Charter of 1814 set out a constitutional
monarchy.
Revolution of 1830 in response to arbitrary
decision-making by Charles X.
July Monarchy of 1830 institutes reforms.
Trial by jury, equality before law, role of
parliament strengthened, but increased
persecution of opposition sparked revolt.

7
French Second Republic (1848-1852)

8
Second Empire

9
French Third Republic (1875-1940)

New assembly elected to secure a peace with
Bismarck.
Republic by default, members could not determine
which dynasty should be seated.
Removed direct election of the president.
Assembly directly elected, Senate elected by an
electoral college.
Cabinet responsible to parliament.
Relationship between executive and legislature
created difficulties (Affair of 16 May 1877).

10
French Third Republic (cont.)

Survived nationalist and antidemocratic movements
and WWI.
Church separated from the State.
Parliament reigned supreme.
Cabinet instability was problematic, but reforms
attempted.
Longest lasting regime since 1789, ended when
Paris fell to the Germans in 1940.
Vichy France instituted has left several
unresolved issues.

11
French Fourth Republic (1946-1958)

Liberation of France in 1944, widespread
agreement to reinstitute the republic between
parties.
Disagreements over how to structure the
institutions.
First draft constitution defeated in 1946.
Bare majority supports second draft.
Opposed by General De Gaulle, citing a weak
executive.

12
French Fourth Republic (cont).

Assembly granted too much authority.
Senate granted too little.
Prime Minister dominant, but role undefined.
Assembly delegated authority to cabinet, then
removed the cabinet.
Cabinet instability made decision making
impossible.
Did provide modernization, paid vacations,
medical insurance, decolonization, and ECSC
membership.

13
French Fifth Republic (1958-present)

Weakness of French Fourth in response to crises
in Algeria led for calls for de Gaulle to return
and save his nation.
De Gaulle invested as PM in 1958.
Revised the constitution.
Provides for a strong executive.
Creation of a quasi-monarchical president.
Turned back rise of parliament against the
president.
Provides for independent judiciary.

14
Conclusions

Role of protest central to politics.
Striking the right balance between the executive
and the legislature critical subject of debate.
Earlier constitutions influenced later drafts.
Current constitution has some inconsistencies.

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