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The reforms of the National Constituent Assembly - Coggle Diagram
The reforms of the National Constituent Assembly
Church reforms in the Civil Constitution of the Clergy
Changes
The administrative structure of the church was re-organised: boundaries were re-organised to co-operate with the departments and each one had a bishop
Clergymen became paid state officials, they were also made to live in their dioceses to avoid pluralism
Bishops and Priests were to be elected
Continuities
The church were still seen as moral and spiritual leaders
The hierarchy of the clergy remained the same
Catholicism remained the dominant religion in France
Political Reforms
Changes
Distinction between active and passive citizens was established based on wealth and tax contributions.
Passive citizens, including women, men who did not meet the tax requirement, and others, possessed civil rights but lacked political rights such as voting. This group constituted the majority of the population, with approximately 3 million men being considered passive citizens.
Active citizens, comprising men over 25 who paid the equivalent of three days' labor in direct taxes, were granted the right to vote and hold office. This group was estimated to be around 4.3 million people.
Significant changes were made to legal rights and procedures.
Accused persons were to be brought before a judge within 24 hours of their arrest.
Judgments in legal cases were required to be justified.
Torture and branding as forms of punishment were abolished.
Reforms were introduced concerning letters of the cachet (lettres de cachet), which were royal warrants for imprisonment without trial. The text indicates that the Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen had declared them illegal.
Continuities
Louis still held power. so therefore the Ancien Regime still held symbolic power
Administrative reforms
Changes
France was divided into 83 departments, replacing the old provinces. These departments were intended to be roughly equal in size and population. Below the departments were further subdivisions into districts, cantons, and communes
Each department was to have its own elected council of 36 members, a directorate of eight, and a procureur-general-syndic. Lower levels, such as districts, also had their own elected councils and officials.
All administrative positions were acquired through elections
Continuities
A local government at community level was kept highlighting the importance of the people
Judicial reforms
Changes
A hierarchy of courts was created that followed the new administrative divisions
JPs were to hear minor cases in each canton
Each department was to have a court in its capital for criminal cases that would run with a dual jury
The "tribunal de cassation" was set up that was a central high court of appeal
All JPs and judges were elected
They implemented new legal rights. These were;
Every person accused would be brought to a judge within 24 hours
Accusations, proceedings and judgments were open to the public
The accused were to be assisted by a lawyer
Inhumane methods of capital punishment were abolished
Sentences were to be fair and proportionate without further consequences for families
An accused person's property could not be seized
Continuities
The punishment for crimes remained a state function
Enlightened ideas were already entering the judicial system pre 1789
Economic and social changes
Changes
Replaced taxation with a land tax (contribution fonciere), poll or property tax (contribution personelle et mobiliere), a limited tax on commercial activity (patente)
Removed internal tariffs
All corporate bodies were abolished in 1791
Power was moved to local authorities
Titles, venialities and privileges were abolished
Individual rights were to be protected by law
State charities helped the poor and public education tried to make opportunities of mobility
Continuities
The economic crisis maintained due to underlying issues and a large debt hole even after the reforms made
Taxes still remained very high