To What Extent Does The Essay Example

structure of the Ancien regime and abolish the charter of 1814, which tried to establish a constitutional monarchy, this document guaranteed a two-chamber legislature that would be elected to examine the executive that was directly appointed. It also ensured equality before the law and retained the Napoleonic administrative structure while maintaining the revolutionary land settlement. These promises were made by a sovereign King.

. The Ultra group's objectives of censoring political news and seeking the return of their estates directly contradicted the charter, causing division with the pro-charter liberals. Louis found himself frequently needing to adopt a neutral stance as a result.

Despite introducing a moderately redistributive land law and facilitating the replacement of Imperial army officers with emigres, the reign of the Restoration king was marked by political instability caused by constant struggles between ultra and liberal factions in the majority chamber. In an effort to prevent either party from gaining control, the king frequently appointed moderate governments led by figures like Richelieu and Decazes, and dissolved the Chamber in cases where it refused to accept the Restoration settlement, such as in 1816. However, this strategy posed a danger as centrist governments were often attacked from both political sides and the multiplicity of parties within each side made forming coalitions difficult.

During the later years of Louis XVIII's reign, the party that demonstrated the most internal coherence, known as the ‘Ultras', gained significant influence. This caused the Liberals to gradually abandon politics of compromise. Louis attempted to appease the Ultras by introducing the double vote and increasing censorship. Despite this, it remained possible to negotiate and reconcile the antagonistic elements of the Restoration system as long as

the King remained largely neutral. The polarization of these two groups can be seen as a failure to establish new laws and representatives. However, it should be noted that the King had substantial control over politics during this period and was often under external pressure from allies to promote a peaceful France with a moderate position for political stability.

Due to the constant oscillations in political power, Louis' efforts largely failed. An important event was the murder of Duc de Berri in 1820, who was the only male member of the bourbons capable of providing an heir. The Ultras took advantage of this and dismissed the moderate Decazes, replacing him with Richelieu. Richelieu implemented electoral changes favoring the wealthy, such as increased censorship and more wealthy deputies. This was a turning point as Louis was unable to resist the Comte d’Artois and the ultras.

Furthermore, the birth of an assured heir in September 1820 added to concerns about the direction of the government. The Hundred Days exacerbated political polarization in France and contributed significantly to Louis's largely unsuccessful reign. These Hundred Days exposed the divisions between "old" and "new" France, consisting of the "emigration" and the "revolution," respectively. Neither group appeared reconciled to the Bourbon monarchy in its current form. The royalists aimed to restore a pre-revolutionary monarchy, which would benefit the land settlement in their favour and restore the clergy's past influence, with whom the aristocracy and Catholic Church were closely associated.

Despite the bourgeoisie's desire to maintain their newfound wealth and freedoms, they remained skeptical of Bourbon intentions and often held anti-clerical beliefs. The Hundred Days marked France's continued reluctance to accept the restoration of the

Bourbon monarchy, revealing a prevalent theme that portrayed the King as subordinate to Napoleon. However, while Louis XVII's reign was not without flaws, it can be deemed successful in terms of economic recovery and industrial prosperity. This period signified a significant economic transformation that included the emergence of savings banks and joint-stock companies, advancements in agriculture, and a widespread expansion of transportation networks. Overall, economic growth and political stability are critical elements for the success of any country.

Over the last 20 years, France has improved its economic situation, enabling competition with Britain, something previously unattainable. The symbolic value of the repayment of war indemnity cannot be overstated as it signifies a return to financial stability after a generation of Napoleon's costly warfare. Interestingly, some of these improvements are challenging to quantify and were partly due to a broader shift in the European economy. Additionally, after the hundred days of Napoleon's reign, Louis successfully restored authority and purged the Bonapartist group during the White Terror. The imprisonment or execution of 7000 supporters, including 57 leaders, was a part of this effort.

Despite Louis's efforts to eliminate opposition to the monarchy, the execution of Marshal Ney provoked a public outcry. However, due to the strength of the Ultras in the chamber, the king was limited in his actions. Throughout his reign, Louis maintained relative peace in France and achieved military victories, such as successfully intervening in Spain and gaining control where even Napoleon failed. These successes boosted confidence and signaled recovery for the country. Ultimately, Louis's successful economic policies, handling of the "white terror" and foreign affairs earned him the support of most pays-legal and facilitated stability and

growth in France.

It can be argued that if France was in a worse economic situation, its political situation would also suffer. This would have resulted in a more negative response to Louis's reign, particularly during the Hundred Days. As a result of political polarization, the reign of Louis is widely considered a failure. To ensure long-term political stability, it was necessary for the King to reconcile the opposing factions or at least act as a mediator. Failing to do so would lead to conflicts that could destroy the Restoration settlement. Aware of this danger, Louis XVIII prioritized fusing the disparate groups in his government.

Regrettably, following the "Hundred Days" aftermath, the Ultras resorted to non-parliamentary methods to subvert the objective by instigating widespread assaults on Liberals in southern France, thereby triggering the "White Terror". As a result, some of the politically activated community perceived that they were henceforth jeopardized by monarchy and would be barred from public life. Although economic triumphs were witnessed during the rule, these could simply be attributed to Napoleon's actions rather than Louis' personal achievements. Overall, Louis' reign was largely unsuccessful as he was unable to maintain political stability in the country; by 1824, the country's political climate had largely adopted an Ultra perspective in spite of moderate policies put into action throughout his reign.