Highlight the features of active and passive citizens of France

Answer: Active citizens in France were men over 25 years old who could read, knew the law, lived in France for at least one year, and paid taxes equal to three days of a worker’s wage; they had the right to vote and participate in government decisions. Passive citizens included women, children, men under 25, and those who did not pay enough taxes; they were protected by law but could not vote or take part in politics. This difference was made during the French Revolution to decide who could influence the government.

Complete Answer:

In France, during the time of the French Revolution, citizens were divided into two groups based on their rights and responsibilities: active citizens and passive citizens. Here are details of active and passive citizens of France:

Active Citizens

• Active citizens were usually men above 25 years of age.
• They had to be able to read and understand the law.
• They must have lived in France for at least one year.
• They had to pay taxes equal to at least three days’ work of a laborer every year.
• Because they met these requirements, active citizens had the right to vote and participate in government.
• They also took part in local assemblies where they nominated electors who later chose deputies, judges, and other officials.
• There were about 4 million active citizens in France at that time.
• These men formed the basis of the French National Guard and helped shape government policies.

Passive Citizens

• Passive citizens included women, children, men below 25 years old, and men who did not pay enough taxes.
• They did not have the right to vote or participate in government decisions.
• However, they were still protected by the law regarding their property and personal freedom.
• There were about 3 million passive citizens in France.
• The Constitution of 1791 clearly classified women as passive citizens, denying them voting rights.
• Passive citizens had no influence over how the government was run but were still under its protection.

Important Points about Active and Passive Citizens of France

1. Only active citizens could vote and have a say in government.
2. Active citizens were required to pay taxes and be above 25 years old.
3. Passive citizens could not vote and had no political rights.
4. This distinction was made during the French Revolution to limit political participation to certain citizens.

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