Separation of Powers and the French Revolution
The French Revolution was the result of political ills and enlightenment ideas. In the course of the revolution, the separation of powers was introduced as a political foundation.
The separation of powers and the enlightenment
- In 1748 Charles de Montesquieu worked out the theory of the separation of powers in his work "The Spirit of Laws". He differentiated between executive, legislative and judicial power. In this way, state power should be divided between different organs in order to limit state power.
- Montesquieu saw the limitation of state power as necessary in order to guarantee the freedom and equality of all citizens. John Locke has also spoken out in favor of a separation of powers in order to curb the arbitrariness of absolutism.
- In order to become familiar with the principle of the separation of powers, it is therefore important to learn the context of the French Revolution. What was the Enlightenment? What abuses prevailed? How did the new ideals of tolerance and equality come about? How should the separation of powers be implemented?
The French revolution
- The French Revolution and the idea of the separation of powers are inextricably linked. Both historical phenomena lay the foundation for the modern understanding of democracy in Europe placed.
The time before the revolution is known as the Ancien Régime. During this time France was very weak. The privileges of the nobility and clergy, the threat of national bankruptcy and the increasing alienation of royalty, nobility and clergy from the rest of the population witnessed an all-embracing crisis.
This crisis led to the revolution in 1789, when the assembly of the Estates General failed to agree on the mode of voting. The third booth left under protest, the assembly proclaimed its own national assembly.
The situation came to a head and the conflict became violent. At 4. and 5. August 1789, the privileges of the first and second estate were revoked. On the 27th. August human and civil rights were declared. In 1791 a constitution was adopted that provided for a constitutional monarchy. The model for the constitution was Montesquieu with his idea of the separation of powers.
Here it is important to assess the French Revolution as the result of a social, economic and political crisis. The separation of powers was intended to limit the noble privileges prevailing in the ancien régime and the power of the state.
A summary of the events during the French Revolution shows ...
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