Describe the reasons for the July Revolution of 1830 in France .

by - January 22, 2022

Describe the reasons for the July Revolution of 1830 in France .

Reasons / Causes for the July Revolution in 1830 in France : -



In 1815 the Vienna Congress adopted the principle of fair rights, in accordance with which the French Bourbon monarchy was re-established and Louis XVIII ascended the throne of France. But it was not possible for him to govern according to the new ideology of the French Revolution and the ideals of the national constitution. Proponents of monarchy were more interested in protecting the interests of the monarchy, the church and the aristocracy than in the interests of the king , while liberals were more interested in preserving the ideology of revolution. Although Louis XVIII adopted a policy of reconciliation between these two ideological conflicts, the adoption of a reactionary policy by the next king, Charles X, ushered in a new revolution. There were various reasons for the July Revolution of 1830 in France -


1. David Thomson's theory: - Louis XVIII tried to combine monarchy with liberal ideology. But after the death of Louis XVIII in 1824, the next emperor, Charles X, abandoned this cohesive policy and adopted some reactionary policy. He tried to re-establish the old system. These reactionary policies of Charles X were not consistent with the new French ideology. If Charles X had followed the policy of Louis XVIII, the July Revolution would not have been inevitable.

2. Conversely: The Inevitability of Revolution Theory: - But Liberals do not support David Thomson's view. According to them, the July Revolution was inevitable. Because it was not possible to reconcile the old system and the new ideas born of the revolution. The two were completely opposite norms. Although Louis XVIII adopted the policy of coordination, he could not adopt any effective program.

3. Issues related to voting rights of citizens: - There was also discrimination in the national constitution regarding voting rights of citizens. Only the rich elite and the bourgeoisie are given the right to vote. Out of 3 million citizens, only 90,000 citizens have their right to vote recognized. This right was granted only on the basis of assets. As a result, those who were  educated, socially and politically conscious were deprived of the right to vote.

4. Misuse of Article 14 of the Charter: - Article 14 of the National Constitution gives special rights to the French monarch. But the exercise of rights was not clear. As a result, Louis XVIII and Charles X were seen abusing that special power in various cases.


5. Role of Louis XVIII: - Louis XVIII attempts to reconcile the revolutionary ideology with the national constitution. On the one hand, he maintained the tradition of monarchy and on the other hand, he maintained the land system of the Napoleonic era, various reforms and provincial system of government. By 1821, Louis XVIII's cabinet had adopted a moderate approach, avoiding leftists and liberals, but in the end they failed and the extreme reactionaries came to power.

6. Charles X's reactionary policy: Charles X took the throne of France after Louis XVIII. He made the July Revolution inevitable through various reactionary policies. He completely ignored the legislature and started appointing and removing ministers. He wants to take France back to the pre-French Revolution stage. The glory and power of the aristocracy and priests were restored. He also appointed an extreme reactionary minister named Polygnac.

7. July Ordinance: - In the extreme stage of reaction, Charles X issued the July Ordinance. It basically consists of four reactive instructions.
(i) The House of Representatives of France is dissolved. The number of members nominated by the king was increased in the newly formed House of Representatives.
(ii) Public suffrage is further restricted. Only twenty-five thousand people got the right to vote.
(iii) Freedom of the press is completely taken away.
(iv) The National Constitution of 1814 was declared invalid.

8. The reaction of the people and the beginning of the revolution: - With this announcement, the people of Paris, led by the liberal leader Adolf Thiers, started protesting. Ordinary people, students and workers set up barricades all over Paris. The city of Paris became the center of the revolution. Students in Paris, led by Republican Party leader Cavignac, set up blockades everywhere. When the army rallied to quell the anger of the people, the people revolted. The Bonapartists also joined the Republicans. The former National Guard also joined the revolution.

9. Charles X's resignation: - In fact, Polygnac had no idea about the power of the French people. On July 28, the authority of Paris passed completely into the hands of the people. On July 30, the rebels proclaimed Louis Philippe of Orleans as King of France. At this time the people of France were adamant in their demand for the resignation of Charles X, although he had agreed to remove Polignac and to repeal the ordinance. As a result, Charles X was forced to abdicate and took shelter in England.

In conclusion, the attempt to appease the liberal ideologies of the French Revolution made the July Revolution inevitable. Although the July Revolution did not establish a republic, it did establish the rights of the people and the ideals of the French Revolution.


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