Sovereignty of the Nation

During the French Revolution, the concept of the sovereignty of the nation emerged as a fundamental principle, deeply influencing the political landscape of France. This idea posited that the authority to govern emanated from the people rather than from a monarch or a small elite. It marked a significant departure from the ancien régime (the traditional system of monarchical governance).

The National Constituent Assembly, which convened in the early stages of the Revolution, played a crucial role in enshrining national sovereignty. On 26 August 1789, the Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, a seminal document that outlined the rights and duties of citizens. Article 3 of this declaration explicitly stated that "The principle of all sovereignty resides essentially in the nation; no body, no individual can exercise authority that does not emanate expressly from it." This article underscored the shift away from absolutist rule toward a more democratic system where citizens collectively held power.

The Legislative Assembly, which succeeded the National Constituent Assembly, continued to build upon this principle. It undertook significant reforms aimed at decentralizing power and increasing public participation in governance. For instance, suffrage was expanded, and the administrative structure of France was reorganized to better reflect the will of the people. Such changes underscored the commitment to national sovereignty and the rejection of autocratic rule.

The sovereignty of the nation also had profound implications for the structure and function of government institutions. The concept led to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy, which limited the powers of the king and emphasized the role of elected bodies. However, the experiment with constitutional monarchy was short-lived, and by 1792, France transitioned to a republic, further embodying the ideals of popular sovereignty. The National Convention, which declared the First French Republic on 21 September 1792, was a product of this new political reality.

Moreover, national sovereignty influenced the judicial system. Courts were restructured to ensure they were independent and accountable to the public. Judges were elected rather than appointed by the monarchy, aligning the judiciary more closely with the principles of the Revolution.

The revolutionary period also witnessed the creation of a citizen army, known as the levée en masse, in 1793. This conscription policy was justified by appealing to the nation's need to protect its sovereignty against external threats. Citizens were called to defend the republic, embodying the notion that national defense was a collective responsibility.

Throughout the revolution, the principle of the sovereignty of the nation acted as a guiding force for legislative, administrative, and military reforms. It marked a transformation in the understanding of political power, emphasizing that legitimate authority originated from the collective will of the people. This principle played a central role in shaping the revolutionary agenda and set the foundation for modern democratic governance in France.

• The principle of national sovereignty during the French Revolution signified that the authority of the government must come from the people (as opposed to divine right or monarchy); this was a radical shift in political ideology.
• The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, adopted on 26 August 1789, emphasized popular sovereignty by declaring that all citizens have the right to participate in the formation of legislation.
• One of the key phrases associated with the revolution is 'La souveraineté appartient au peuple' (Sovereignty belongs to the people), which became a rallying cry for the revolutionaries in their quest for democracy.
• The idea of popular sovereignty contributed to the eventual establishment of the French Republic; this shift in governance meant that France would no longer be ruled by a king but rather by elected representatives.
• The emphasis on national sovereignty allowed for the emergence of various political factions during the revolution; groups like the Jacobins and Girondins debated the best representation of the people's will, leading to internal conflicts.