Monarchiens
Encyclopedia
Monarchiens is a derogatory term used to describe one of the revolutionary factions in the earliest stages of the French Revolution
. The Monarchiens were briefly a conservative, stabilising force, criticized by the left wing of the National Constituent Assembly
, the spectators in the galleries and the patriotic press.
The Monarchien party was established in August 1789, but no sooner was their organization begun it was quickly swept away. Specifically, the brief movement developed when the Revolution was shifting away from the Ancien Régime during the Spring of 1789 and was defeated by the end of 1789.
, as they did not “speak the language of democracy”. Instead, they formed their views based on the liberal influences of the years of the Enlightenment
and The English Constitution
. They sought fairness under law and pushed for a working constitution. The monarchien position favored voting and common deliberations. It aimed to merge the rights of the royal authority with the rights of the common man. This idea was in fact part of the Monarchien’s downfall as the changes brought about by the Revolution were far more different than what the Monarchien’s viewed as change. Specifically, the Monarchien’s were unable to understand and reform to the importance of “Political legitimacy” when it came to discussing the constitutional process. In fact, they sought to establish a free government without substituting one power for another but rather redefining the existing powers of the monarchy.
, who was born in 1758. Though Mounier was neither graceful nor eloquent in his speeches, he was able to influence many with his strength and consistency. Among his followers were liberal nobles T.-G. de Lally-Tollendal, the comte de Clermont-Tonnerre
, and P.-V. de Malouet
. On July 9, Mounier’s views of the government's political position were outlined in a statement to the National Constituent Assembly. The Assembly ultimately voted against the introduced Monarchien views of Mounier on September 10 and 11 The rejection led to the resignation of Mounier.
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
. The Monarchiens were briefly a conservative, stabilising force, criticized by the left wing of the National Constituent Assembly
National Constituent Assembly
The National Constituent Assembly was formed from the National Assembly on 9 July 1789, during the first stages of the French Revolution. It dissolved on 30 September 1791 and was succeeded by the Legislative Assembly.-Background:...
, the spectators in the galleries and the patriotic press.
The Monarchien party was established in August 1789, but no sooner was their organization begun it was quickly swept away. Specifically, the brief movement developed when the Revolution was shifting away from the Ancien Régime during the Spring of 1789 and was defeated by the end of 1789.
Monarchien positions
Monarchiens were once viewed as contributors to the Third Estate. They differed from Sieyes and MirabeauMirabeau
Mirabeau can refer to:People* Victor de Riqueti, marquis de Mirabeau, a French physiocrat and economist.* Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, comte de Mirabeau, renowned orator, a figure in the French Revolution and son of Victor....
, as they did not “speak the language of democracy”. Instead, they formed their views based on the liberal influences of the years of the Enlightenment
Age of Enlightenment
The Age of Enlightenment was an elite cultural movement of intellectuals in 18th century Europe that sought to mobilize the power of reason in order to reform society and advance knowledge. It promoted intellectual interchange and opposed intolerance and abuses in church and state...
and The English Constitution
The English Constitution
The English Constitution is a book by Walter Bagehot. Written in 1867, it explores the constitution of the United Kingdom, specifically the functioning of Parliament and the British monarchy and the contrasts between British and American government...
. They sought fairness under law and pushed for a working constitution. The monarchien position favored voting and common deliberations. It aimed to merge the rights of the royal authority with the rights of the common man. This idea was in fact part of the Monarchien’s downfall as the changes brought about by the Revolution were far more different than what the Monarchien’s viewed as change. Specifically, the Monarchien’s were unable to understand and reform to the importance of “Political legitimacy” when it came to discussing the constitutional process. In fact, they sought to establish a free government without substituting one power for another but rather redefining the existing powers of the monarchy.
Founder, Jean-Joseph Mounier
The group was founded and led by Jean Joseph MounierJean Joseph Mounier
Jean Joseph Mounier was a French politician and judge.He was born at Grenoble . He studied law, and in 1783 obtained a judgeship at Grenoble. He took part in the struggle between the parlements and the court in 1788, and promoted the meeting of the estates of Dauphiné at Vizille , on the eve of...
, who was born in 1758. Though Mounier was neither graceful nor eloquent in his speeches, he was able to influence many with his strength and consistency. Among his followers were liberal nobles T.-G. de Lally-Tollendal, the comte de Clermont-Tonnerre
Stanislas Marie Adelaide, comte de Clermont-Tonnerre
Stanislas Marie Adélaïde, comte de Clermont-Tonnerre was a French politician.-Early life and career:Born in Pont-a-Mousson, in what is today the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France...
, and P.-V. de Malouet
Pierre Victor, baron Malouet
Pierre Victor, baron Malouet , a French publicist and politician, was born at Riom .-Life:...
. On July 9, Mounier’s views of the government's political position were outlined in a statement to the National Constituent Assembly. The Assembly ultimately voted against the introduced Monarchien views of Mounier on September 10 and 11 The rejection led to the resignation of Mounier.
- A new party was formed by one of the original Monarchien members, Clermont – Tonnerre; “Amis de la Constitution Monarchique” in Dec 1789.
- The Monarchiens Party was established under the authority of King Louis XVI.
- The Monarchien movement was founded by Jean Joseph MounierJean Joseph MounierJean Joseph Mounier was a French politician and judge.He was born at Grenoble . He studied law, and in 1783 obtained a judgeship at Grenoble. He took part in the struggle between the parlements and the court in 1788, and promoted the meeting of the estates of Dauphiné at Vizille , on the eve of...
(1758-1806). Among the followers of the Monarchiens were liberal nobles including, T. –G. Lally – Tollendal, Clermont – Tonnerre, and P.-V. Malouet.
- The Monarchien’s were a conservative faction with the National Assembly. For the most part, and although briefly, the Monarchien party was well organized and took an active role in Constituent debates.
- Mounier supported another legislative Chamber & more royal authority.
- The Monarchiens, specifically Jean Joseph MounierJean Joseph MounierJean Joseph Mounier was a French politician and judge.He was born at Grenoble . He studied law, and in 1783 obtained a judgeship at Grenoble. He took part in the struggle between the parlements and the court in 1788, and promoted the meeting of the estates of Dauphiné at Vizille , on the eve of...
, “wanted a compromise between the old aristocracy and the new elite, based on an absolute veto for ordinary laws and a bicameral legislature”.
- Mounier’s views appeared in a pamphlet that was published titled, “Nouvelles observations sur les Etats – Generaux”, which introduced the Monarchien's ideas about Law & Government.
- Within the Monarchien Party are three distinct groups of members: The first is the DauphinoisDauphinoisDauphinois is a dialect of the Arpitan language, which is spoken in Isère département, roughly formerly Bas-Dauphiné, in France. The extreme South of the Dauphiné is within the area of the Occitan language....
delegation-including the archbishop of Vienne. The second is the group of elite members of society-including bishop of Langres, Clermont-Tonnerre and Lally Tollendal. The third group was the deputies to the Third Estate-including Bergasse and Malouet.
- Bergasse published his monarchien view in pamphlets and called for the unity between the throne and Third Estates.
- Monarchien politics were more authoritarian and hierarchical.
- The Monarchien’s organized for elections. The elections carried out in September 1789 demonstrated the popularity of the Monarchien movement as the movement’s candidates received many of the votes.
- One of the laws passed which emphasized the Party’s political views was that in order for a royal veto to be overwritten, the same law needed to be passed by three straight legislatures.
- After Mounier’s resignation, the Monarchien dream continued to live out until the end of the Constituent Assembly. This was due to the efforts of Pierre-Victor Malouet, Clermont-Tonnerre, Virieu, and others.
- The clubs formed by these men after Mounier left the organization were “Club de Impartiaux” and “Club Monarchique”.
See also
- BarnaveBarnaveBarnave can refer to:* Antoine Pierre Joseph Marie Barnave , French politician* Barnave, Drôme, a commune of the Drôme département in France...
- Estates-General of 1789Estates-General of 1789The Estates-General of 1789 was the first meeting since 1614 of the French Estates-General, a general assembly representing the French estates of the realm: the nobility, the Church, and the common people...
- Louis XVI
- Montesquieu
- Jacques NeckerJacques NeckerJacques Necker was a French statesman of Swiss birth and finance minister of Louis XVI, a post he held in the lead-up to the French Revolution in 1789.-Early life:...
- Sieyes
- The English ConstitutionThe English ConstitutionThe English Constitution is a book by Walter Bagehot. Written in 1867, it explores the constitution of the United Kingdom, specifically the functioning of Parliament and the British monarchy and the contrasts between British and American government...
- DauphineDauphineDauphine is the female form of the particular French feudal title of Dauphin , applied to the wife of a Dauphin...
- AuvergneAuvergne (province)Auvergne was a historic province in south central France. It was originally the feudal domain of the Counts of Auvergne. It is now the geographical and cultural area that corresponds to the former province....
- NormandyNormandyNormandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...