Le Chapelier Law
Encyclopedia
The Le Chapelier Law was a piece of legislation passed by the National Assembly
during the first phase of the French Revolution
(June 14, 1791), banning guild
s as the early version of trade unions, as well as compagnonnage (by organizations such as the Compagnons du Tour de France
) and the right to strike
, and proclaiming free enterprise
as the norm. It was advocated and drafted by Isaac René Guy le Chapelier
. Its promulgation enraged the sans-culottes
, who called for an end to the National Constituent Assembly
, which nonetheless continued through the second phase of the Revolution. The law was annulled on May 25, 1864, through the loi Ollivier (proposed by Émile Ollivier
and acceded to by Napoleon III), which reinstated the right to associate and the right to strike.
National Assembly (French Revolution)
During the French Revolution, the National Assembly , which existed from June 17 to July 9, 1789, was a transitional body between the Estates-General and the National Constituent Assembly.-Background:...
during the first phase of the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
(June 14, 1791), banning guild
Guild
A guild is an association of craftsmen in a particular trade. The earliest types of guild were formed as confraternities of workers. They were organized in a manner something between a trade union, a cartel, and a secret society...
s as the early version of trade unions, as well as compagnonnage (by organizations such as the Compagnons du Tour de France
Compagnons du Tour de France
The Compagnons du Tour de France are a French organization of craftsmen and artisans dating from the Middle Ages, but still active today. Their traditional, technical education techniques includes taking a tour, the Tour de France around France and being the apprentice of competent masters...
) and the right to strike
Labor rights
Labor rights or workers' rights are a group of legal rights and claimed human rights having to do with labor relations between workers and their employers, usually obtained under labor and employment law. In general, these rights' debates have to do with negotiating workers' pay, benefits, and safe...
, and proclaiming free enterprise
Capitalism
Capitalism is an economic system that became dominant in the Western world following the demise of feudalism. There is no consensus on the precise definition nor on how the term should be used as a historical category...
as the norm. It was advocated and drafted by Isaac René Guy le Chapelier
Isaac René Guy le Chapelier
Isaac René Guy Le Chapelier , also known as Jean Le Chapelier, was a French jurist and politician of the Revolutionary period.-Biography:...
. Its promulgation enraged the sans-culottes
Sans-culottes
In the French Revolution, the sans-culottes were the radical militants of the lower classes, typically urban laborers. Though ill-clad and ill-equipped, they made up the bulk of the Revolutionary army during the early years of the French Revolutionary Wars...
, who called for an end to the National Constituent Assembly
National Constituent Assembly
The National Constituent Assembly was formed from the National Assembly on 9 July 1789, during the first stages of the French Revolution. It dissolved on 30 September 1791 and was succeeded by the Legislative Assembly.-Background:...
, which nonetheless continued through the second phase of the Revolution. The law was annulled on May 25, 1864, through the loi Ollivier (proposed by Émile Ollivier
Émile Ollivier
Olivier Émile Ollivier was a French statesman. Although a republican, he served as a cabinet minister under Emperor Napoleon III and led the process of turning his regime into a "liberal Empire".-Early life and career:Émile Ollivier was born in Marseille...
and acceded to by Napoleon III), which reinstated the right to associate and the right to strike.