I need someone to rephrase these four history assignments (about 2.5 pages total)

Yavuz Sefik

1/29/15

Week 21 Analysis

The French Constitution of 1791 provided major provisions in terms of the structure of government and the powers given to the executive, legislative and judicial branches, as well as the rights of citizenship due to all French citizens.

The first “Fundamental Provision Guaranteed by the Constitution” is “That all citizens are admissible to offices and employments, without other distinction than virtues and talents.” This means that people cannot be ineligible for job positions because of any factor besides lack of talents or virtues. This enables the common citizen to apply to work for a position that may have been previously held only by nobles, and they cannot be rejected for their lack of status. Another right to citizens is “That all taxes shall be assessed equally upon all citizens, in proportion to their means.” This officially ended the Old Regime system where the top two estates were untaxed, and brought about a new hope for France’s third estate.

Chapter III describes the powers that the legislative body has. This body inherits most of the power that is lost by the monarchy. Under the new constitution, this branch has the authority for the “Proposal and enactment of laws; the King may only invite the legislative body to take a matter under consideration; Establishment of public expenditures; Establishment of public taxes, and determination of the nature, quota, duration, and method of collection thereof.” With these lines, the legislative authority has much control over France, similar to the US Congress.

Chapter IV describes the authority of the executive power, i.e., the king. Most of the previous power that the king had before the constitution was given to the legislature, but the king did have some authority under the new constitution. “The King is the supreme head of the general administration of the kingdom; the task of supervising the maintenance of public order and tranquillity is entrusted to him.” “The King is the supreme head of the army and navy.” “The King appoints ambassadors and other agents of political negotiations.” The king has administrative control over France, similar to the president of the United States.

Chapter V describes the judicial power’s tasks and authorities. They are separate from the other two branches, and “Justice shall be rendered gratuitously by judges elected at stated times by the people and instituted by letters patent of the King, who may not refuse them.” In later lines, the constitution gives many passages that endow the citizens with the right to fair trials. “After the indictment is admitted, the fact shall be recognized and declared by the jurors. The accused shall have the privilege of rejecting up to twenty of same without specifying reasons. The jurors who declare the fact may not be fewer than twelve in number. Application of the law shall be made by the judges. Inquiry shall be public, and the assistance of counsel may not be refused the accused. No man acquitted by a legal jury may be apprehended or accused again for the same act.” This is similar to how the courts work under the US Constitution.