Legislative Assembly

The governing body that succeeded the National Assembly during a transitional period of French governance.

The Legislative Assembly was formed in 1791 as a result of the constitutional monarchy established by the Constitution of 1791, following the National Assembly. Its primary role was to create and enact laws while the monarchy was still in place. The Assembly was composed of representatives elected by active citizens and was influenced by both radical and moderate factions. Its tenure ended in 1792 when the September Massacres led to its dissolution and the establishment of the National Convention. The Legislative Assembly faced significant challenges, including internal division, external threats from other European monarchies, and escalating social unrest.

The Legislative Assembly (Assemblée législative) was one of the governing bodies during the French Revolution, established by the Constitution of 1791. It succeeded the National Constituent Assembly and was in operation from 1 October 1791 to 20 September 1792. The formation of the Legislative Assembly marked the transition from absolutist monarchy to constitutional monarchy in France. The body consisted of 745 members, who were elected by a system of indirect election among active citizens (men over 25 years paying a certain amount in taxes).

The Legislative Assembly was remarkably diverse in terms of political affiliations, including Jacobins, Girondins, and the Feuillants. The Jacobins and Girondins tended towards more radical and republican stances, while the Feuillants favored constitutional monarchy. This division often led to heated debates and conflicts within the Assembly.

One of the critical tasks of the Legislative Assembly was to address the financial crisis that had plagued France for years. Efforts were made to stabilize the economy through measures like the issuance of assignats (a form of paper currency) and various fiscal reforms. However, these measures did not fully resolve the economic difficulties, leading to continued unrest among the populace.

The foreign policy of the Legislative Assembly was also a significant area of concern. In 1792, the Assembly declared war on Austria, marking the beginning of the French Revolutionary Wars. The decision was driven by fears of foreign invasion and the desire to spread revolutionary ideals beyond France's borders. This war, however, brought its own set of challenges, including initial military defeats that heightened internal political tensions.

Domestically, the Legislative Assembly passed several important pieces of legislation, including laws related to emigration and secularization. Emigres (mainly nobles who fled revolutionary France) were seen as a threat, and their properties were often confiscated. Moreover, the Assembly pursued the secularization of church properties, furthering the separation of church and state initiated by its predecessor, the National Constituent Assembly.

Despite its efforts, the Legislative Assembly struggled to maintain order and authority. The growing influence of radical groups (such as the sans-culottes, lower-class revolutionaries) and increasing pressures from both internal and external fronts led to mounting instability. By August 1792, the pressure culminated in the insurrection of 10 August 1792, which resulted in the storming of the Tuileries Palace and the suspension of King Louis XVI.

The Legislative Assembly's inability to manage both the domestic troubles and the foreign threats effectively contributed to its downfall. Its tenure came to an end with the proclamation of the National Convention, which assumed power on 21 September 1792, following the revolutionary sans-culottes’ demands for a more radical government. The Legislative Assembly thus occupies a crucial, albeit challenging, phase in the broader context of the French Revolution.

Did you know?

The Legislative Assembly was formed on 1 October 1791, succeeding the National Constitutional Assembly, and marked a shift towards more radical governmental structures.
This assembly included the first representation of political parties, including the Girondins and the Jacobins, who had starkly different views on governance and radical change.
During its brief existence (it lasted until 20 September 1792), the Legislative Assembly witnessed intense debates over France's military strategies, particularly in response to external threats from Austria and Prussia, which were then on the cusp of invasion.
One of its notable features was the restriction to members of the wealthy bourgeoisie; only about 4.3 million of France's 27 million citizens were eligible to vote, thus limiting representation.
The Assembly faced significant challenges, including the September Massacres of 1792, where an estimated 1,400 prisoners were executed in response to fears of betrayal, showcasing the volatile atmosphere of revolutionary France.