The Rule of the Legislative Assembly | The Rule of the Legislative Assembly

The Legislative Assembly originated from the National Assembly. When the National Assembly was dissolved, the Legislative Assembly was created with a promise of equal right and powers. This new government was provided for by the Constitution of 1791 and it went in to effect in October but lasted for less than a year. The revolutionaries had not yet created a reliable government to replace the Old Regime; the Legislative Assembly was just a temporary quick fix.

The Legislative Assembly consisted of a weak executive branch along with a powerful legislature. The minority of the population had elected this authoritative but inexperienced legislature. Three factions, groups of people with differing attitudes sat in the Legislative Assembly. The Legislative Assembly would be made up of representatives elected by Electors, who were elected by active citizens: a male citizen who paid annual taxes equal to the local wages paid for three days of labor. This meant that only half the citizens of France could vote and only fifty thousand qualified to serve as either electors or members of the Legislative Assembly.

The conservatives did not want to change the existing condition. They believed that the Revolution had gone far enough. This group believed the model form of government to be one where the king possessed limited authority. The radicals wanted the king eliminated, and in its place, a republic instituted with influential changes. Lastly, the moderates had no extreme views. Depending on the current issue, they supported either conservatives or radicals. The Legislative Assembly convened in a hall; the conservatives sat on the right side while the radicals were seated in the left. The moderates were naturally positioned in the center. Because of the French Revolution, the words right, center, and left have represented to conservative, moderate, and political opinions.

Many issues could not be solved within the Legislative Assembly as they frequently deadlocked on domestic matters. Nevertheless, they united to solve a more serious problem: facing a foreign threat. Danger was eminent because in August 1791, Austria and Prussia issued the Declaration of Pillnitz. This Declaration committed the two countries to restoring the monarchy in France and declared war on the country. By 1792, Britain had joined the war. This counter-revolutionary alliance would light the fire beneath the Revolution and it would enter a new, more radical terrifying, stage.

Terror of foreign attacks shocked the Legislative Assembly. All the groups hopped that a victorious foreign war would increase their own influence. Even the king, Louis XVI, supported the war because he hoped that the French army would be defeated. He anticipated the restoration of his authority from the foreign armies. Few people were terrified of war leading back to dictatorship. So in April 1792, the Legislative Assembly voted, with only a few members opposed, to declare war. Subsequently, Austrian and Prussian troops invaded France. The invasion caused many uprisings in Paris. Radicals seized the city government and created their own organization, known as the Commune. In August 1792, the Legislative Assembly, pressured by the Commune deferred the office of the king. Many of the king's guards were massacred by armed Parisians at Tuileres Palace. Now, the Commune presided over Paris while the Legislative Assembly attempted to govern France.

With the monarchy gone, France required a new constitution so the Legislative Assembly voted to disband. They were not required anymore so they set a date for election of new delegates to a National Convention. This would have the purpose of drawing up an alternative constitution for France. In 1792, France was up for national election and with it, a complete change in government. The Legislative Assembly did not set out to last for many years. In a greater sense, they were a temporary government for France until a permanent government could be established. The Assembly served its purpose and paved the way for future successful governments.