AHC: Surviving July Monarchy

Razgriz 2K9

Banned
One reason for the July Monarchy's fall in 1848 was attributed to Louis-Philippe's support for France's bankers and capitalists as well as his opposition to expanding the electoral franchise as the United Kingdom had in 1832. One possible way to continue the people's support for the July Monarchy would be to make changes to the electoral system by allowing a somewhat universal voting system. Essentially, to allow people paying a low number of francs a year to vote.

Although doing so would not prevent the French Revolution of 1848 should European history continue unabated, it would be considerably weaker with the lack of support from most of the populace and could be easily put down. From there, that could help to keep the Orleanists in power for a good deal, depending on how well they perform against Prussia who will no doubt be coming for Alsace-Lorraine. It would make an interesting scenario on how it will turn out since it would be Louis-Philippe II and not Napoleon III as head of state.
 
One reason for the July Monarchy's fall in 1848 was attributed to Louis-Philippe's support for France's bankers and capitalists as well as his opposition to expanding the electoral franchise as the United Kingdom had in 1832. One possible way to continue the people's support for the July Monarchy would be to make changes to the electoral system by allowing a somewhat universal voting system. Essentially, to allow people paying a low number of francs a year to vote.

Although doing so would not prevent the French Revolution of 1848 should European history continue unabated, it would be considerably weaker with the lack of support from most of the populace and could be easily put down. From there, that could help to keep the Orleanists in power for a good deal, depending on how well they perform against Prussia who will no doubt be coming for Alsace-Lorraine. It would make an interesting scenario on how it will turn out since it would be Louis-Philippe II and not Napoleon III as head of state.

There are deeper reasons than that. Me and Wolfpaw had a very great discussion regarding the July Monarchy and it's faults here. He put forward many great points.
 

Razgriz 2K9

Banned
Good arguments on both sides. I've always found it as an interesting point in French History.

I know, right? The July Monarchy, the period from 1830-1848 is pretty much the dark ages as far as Alternate History is concerned, since it shows the Bourbons, or at least the Orleanist branch and what could've been.

There are deeper reasons than that. Me and Wolfpaw had a very great discussion regarding the July Monarchy and it's faults here. He put forward many great points.

Well I've taken the time to read over the thread you and Wolf did, and while it agreed on that the expansion of enfranchisement to the bourgeoisie would've been a positive step in the direction towards some stability (or at least stability at an equivalent value to the Third Republic that long succeeded the Monarchic phases of French History, you also considered various other issues, such as bad crops and a somewhat weak but still growing industrial capacity. But even with those problems, would it be possible for the July Monarchy to gain a sense of stability before 1848?


IMHO, I say it's plausible given reforms made early enough, but it probably would not prevent the revolution from happening. They could survive the revolution given more liberalizing reforms made. But what kind of reforms besides enfranchisement can be made stopping short of abolishing the monarchy in any form?
 
Well I've taken the time to read over the thread you and Wolf did, and while it agreed on that the expansion of enfranchisement to the bourgeoisie would've been a positive step in the direction towards some stability (or at least stability at an equivalent value to the Third Republic that long succeeded the Monarchic phases of French History, you also considered various other issues, such as bad crops and a somewhat weak but still growing industrial capacity. But even with those problems, would it be possible for the July Monarchy to gain a sense of stability before 1848?


IMHO, I say it's plausible given reforms made early enough, but it probably would not prevent the revolution from happening. They could survive the revolution given more liberalizing reforms made. But what kind of reforms besides enfranchisement can be made stopping short of abolishing the monarchy in any form?

Well, IMO, I've always thought the Orléanists could weather 1848. After all, in every single case, the forces of reaction eventually triumphed. Sure, France still had it's second Republic when the dust cleared, but Louis Napoléon was President and the Monarchists dominated the assembly. One thing about the post-French Revolutionary monarchs is there seemed to have any stomach for sticking around when things got really deep. Not to blame them of course, considering what happened to Louis XVI. But both Charles X and Louis-Philippe backed up their backs and left as soon as they could. Of course, I'm not sure what actually weathering 1848 would mean for the Bourgeois King.
 

Razgriz 2K9

Banned
Well, IMO, I've always thought the Orléanists could weather 1848. After all, in every single case, the forces of reaction eventually triumphed. Sure, France still had it's second Republic when the dust cleared, but Louis Napoléon was President and the Monarchists dominated the assembly. One thing about the post-French Revolutionary monarchs is there seemed to have any stomach for sticking around when things got really deep. Not to blame them of course, considering what happened to Louis XVI. But both Charles X and Louis-Philippe backed up their backs and left as soon as they could. Of course, I'm not sure what actually weathering 1848 would mean for the Bourgeois King.

Even if the Bourgeois King survived to see through the 1848 revolutions he was already growing old (he was 74 at the time of the revolutions) So if the Orleanists do weather the storm, with or without him, his son, Prince Philippe (The Count of Paris and recognized as Louis Philippe II/Philippe VII) would still end up succeeding him before the end of the decade.
 
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