AHC Marquis de Lafayette becomes thehead of the French republic

So here is my question guys. we all know that Marquis de Lafayette had immense popularity in France. He was the leader of the moderates during the french rev. However the Jacobin's won the power struggle and not Lafayette faction. But WI Lafayette successfully took control of the french gov after the abdication of Louis XVI instead of Robespierre. With Lafayette and the moderates in power how differently does the French revolution play out?
I made ts an AHC because how can we lead to this scenario?
 
Unlikely.

LaFayette was too compromised with monarchism and right-wing of the Assemblée to pretend lead the republic.
Even the garde nationale didn't obey him anymore in 1791. Of course, it could have tried to do a coup with his corps d'armée. But without the popular support, it's doubtful that his army would have even followed him.
 

Wolfpaw

Banned
I always wondered what sort of situation could arise to make Lafayette King of France and what some of those butterflies would be....

But I suppose it would be rather hard to get rid of those meddlesome Bourbons.
 

Wolfpaw

Banned
yes, they're rather like Beaujolais Nouveau on some white linen in that regard...
Do you think there's any chance of Lafayette taking over? Either as King or Consul or temporary dictator or something like that, or was he too devoted to that dolt Louis and his (frankly douchey) brothers?
 
From what I've read about his actions during his life, I think he at least felt uncomfortable with the idea of completely getting rid of the bourbon and later saw Napoleon as an usurper.

What this tell to me is that he might have helped some sort of government that took a constitutional-monarchist form but not take on the role of King himself.
 
After the abdication of Louis XVI Lafayette becomes Regent of France on behalf of the Dauphin Louis-Charles, who lives in Lafayettes household until he is send to attend both the civil and military branches of the École polytechnique in Paris. Upon coming of age, Louis-Charles is sworn in as King of the French before a joint Session of the the Assemblée Nationale and the Senate in 1803. To show that he is not simply succeeding his father and that an entirely new era has begun he chooses the regal name of Louis-Carles 1er instead of Louis XVII. Upon his accession the title of Consul for life is created for Lafayette, who later resigns and becomes president of the Senate instead.
 
He regards the Bourbons as the legitimate rulers of France; he wanted a written Constitution, with something like the Bill of Rights/Rights of Man attached, but was not a republican of any sort.

So no President Lafayette, only Prime Minister to a King so depressed he seldom stirs from his chambers. Which I suspect wouldn't be that hard to do. If you need something more specific I can look into it tomorrow.
 
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