key term - Legitimist Party

Definition

The Legitimist Party was a political group in France during the 19th century that supported the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy and sought to uphold the traditional royal authority and its legitimacy. This party emerged in response to the changes brought about by the French Revolution and subsequent political upheaval, emphasizing a return to the historical lineage of the French monarchy and resisting the republics and other forms of government that challenged royal prerogative.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Legitimist Party was founded after the fall of Napoleon and sought to restore King Louis XVIII and his successors to the throne, believing in divine right and traditional monarchy.
2. Members of the Legitimist Party were often conservative, opposing liberal reforms and advocating for social hierarchy and religious authority in society.
3. The party's main rivals included the Orleanists, who supported a more liberal constitutional monarchy, leading to ongoing tensions within French politics.
4. The Legitimists had a significant influence during the Bourbon Restoration but gradually lost power as republican sentiments grew in France throughout the 19th century.
5. By the late 19th century, the Legitimist Party had diminished as a political force, yet it remained a symbol of royalist sentiment among certain factions in French society.

Review Questions

• How did the Legitimist Party respond to the political changes following the French Revolution?
  • The Legitimist Party emerged as a reaction against the upheaval caused by the French Revolution, aiming to restore traditional monarchical rule based on legitimacy and divine right. They sought to re-establish the Bourbon monarchy as a symbol of stability and continuity against what they viewed as radical republican changes. This response highlighted their desire for a return to established social orders and governance rooted in historical lineage.
• Discuss the conflict between the Legitimist Party and the Orleanist Party during the 19th century.
  • The conflict between the Legitimist Party and the Orleanist Party was rooted in their differing visions for France's monarchy. The Legitimists advocated for a strict restoration of the Bourbon dynasty and traditional royal authority, while the Orleanists supported a more modern constitutional monarchy led by a branch of the Bourbon family that emphasized liberal policies. This rivalry led to significant political strife as both factions sought control over France's future direction following various revolutions.
• Evaluate how the decline of the Legitimist Party reflected broader societal changes in France during the 19th century.
  • The decline of the Legitimist Party mirrored significant shifts in French society, marked by rising republicanism and growing support for democratic ideals among citizens. As industrialization progressed and social classes evolved, many people began to favor political systems that promoted individual rights and representation over traditional monarchical rule. This transition away from legitimism indicated a broader trend toward modernity and reform in France, as more citizens sought influence in governance rather than adhering to historical norms upheld by royalists.

Related terms

Bourbon Restoration: The period from 1814 to 1830 when the Bourbon monarchy was restored in France after the fall of Napoleon, leading to significant political struggles between royalists and republicans.

Orleanist Party:

A rival political group in France that supported the more liberal branch of the Bourbon family, advocating for constitutional monarchy and often clashing with Legitimists over royal succession.

July Monarchy: The period of French history from 1830 to 1848 when Louis-Philippe, Duke of Orléans, ruled as king, marking a time of conflict between different factions, including the Legitimists.