Why were women disappointed by the constitution of 1791 in France? What laws did the revolutionary government introduce to improve the lives of women?
Answers
Women were disappointed by the constitution of France in 1791 because they were not given the same political rights as men i.e, right to vote, to be elected to the assembly and to hold political office. According to the French Constitution of 1791, women lacked rights to liberties such as education, freedom to speak, write, print and worship – even though these rights were generally granted to men.
Women were dissatisfied because they were not provided the equivalent political benefits as men, that is, right to vote, to be chosen to the Assembly and to embrace administrative office. According to the French Constitution of 1791, females required rights to opportunities such as knowledge, liberty to express their opinion, write, print and worship – even though these advantages were commonly conferred to males.
The laws did the revolutionary government introduce to improve the lives of women are as follows;
(a) State institutions were opened and participation was declared mandatory for all girls.
(b) They could not be wedded against the insistence of their parents. Marriage was promptly a contract which could be recorded under civil law
(c) Divorce was made legal and both males and females could appeal for it.