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The end of absolute monarchy and the beginning of the First Republic (1789-1792)

Q: Who proclaims the National Assembly on 17 June 1789?

The Third Estate. On 17 June 1789, the Third Estate proclaims the National Assembly and ends absolute monarchy.

Q: Who has the right to vote when it is created during the Revolution?

Men over 25 who pay a tax. The right to vote is created for the first time. It is reserved for men over 25 who pay a tax.

Q: What regime is set up in France in 1791?

A constitutional monarchy. In 1791, a constitutional monarchy is set up. The king's powers are limited.

Written by the Hexaciv editorial team · Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026 · Our method

Read in: Français · العربية

In short

This sheet presents the end of absolute monarchy and the beginning of the First Republic. It also helps you understand what the different political regimes bring to our current system.

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Key points of the sheet

Between 1789 and 1792, France goes through several years of political transition. It moves from monarchy to the Republic.
The French Revolution (1789-1799) starts when the king calls the Estates-General (États généraux). They bring together the clergy, the nobility and the Third Estate (tiers état).
On 17 June 1789, the Third Estate proclaims the National Assembly and ends absolute monarchy. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen is adopted a few weeks later.
In 1791, a constitutional monarchy limits the king's powers. After the flight of Louis XVI abroad and social tensions, the king is overthrown on 10 August 1792.
The Marquis de La Fayette plays a central role during the Revolution. He notably helps to write the 1789 Declaration.
The 1789 Declaration states universal principles, such as liberty or equality before the law. The right to vote exists for the first time, but only for men over 25 who pay a tax.
This period ends hereditary privileges and the society of orders. It states fundamental rights that are still in the French Constitution today.
It introduces popular sovereignty, national representation and the separation of powers. These principles guide the later republican regimes.

Words to know

Estates-General (États généraux): The king calls them at the start of the Revolution. They bring together the clergy, the nobility and the Third Estate.
Third Estate (tiers état): On 17 June 1789, the Third Estate proclaims the National Assembly.
constitutional monarchy (monarchie constitutionnelle): It is the regime set up in 1791, in which the king's powers are limited.
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (Déclaration des droits de l'homme et du citoyen): This 1789 text states universal principles, such as liberty or equality before the law.
society of orders (société d'ordres): It is the society divided into clergy, nobility and Third Estate. This period abolishes it.
separation of powers (séparation des pouvoirs): It is an idea introduced in this period. It guides the later republican regimes.
popular sovereignty (souveraineté populaire): It is an idea introduced in this period. It guides the later republican regimes.

Test yourself: 3 questions

Who proclaims the National Assembly on 17 June 1789?

In French, the language of the exam: Qui proclame l'Assemblée nationale le 17 juin 1789 ?

On 17 June 1789, the Third Estate proclaims the National Assembly and ends absolute monarchy.

Who has the right to vote when it is created during the Revolution?

In French, the language of the exam: Qui a le droit de vote quand il est créé pendant la Révolution ?

The right to vote is created for the first time. It is reserved for men over 25 who pay a tax.

What regime is set up in France in 1791?

In French, the language of the exam: Quel régime est instauré en France en 1791 ?

In 1791, a constitutional monarchy is set up. The king's powers are limited.

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Questions on the ministry's list that rest on this sheet

In which year does the French Revolution begin?

Source

Sheet “La fin de la monarchie absolue et le début de la Ière République (1789-1792)” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.

Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.

Hexaciv is an independent tool for preparing the French civic exam. It is not an official site, is not linked to any administration and gives no legal advice. For your file, the authoritative source is the Ministry of the Interior's, cited on this page.