French constitutional referendum, 1870
Encyclopedia
A constitutional referendum was held in France
on 8 May 1870. Voters were asked whether they approved of the liberal reforms made to the constitution
since 1860 and passed by the Sénatus-consulte
on 20 April 1870. The changes were approved by 82.7% of voters with an 81.3% turnout. However, France's defeat in the Franco-Prussian War
caused the Empire to be abolished later that year.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
on 8 May 1870. Voters were asked whether they approved of the liberal reforms made to the constitution
Constitution of France
The current Constitution of France was adopted on 4 October 1958. It is typically called the Constitution of the Fifth Republic, and replaced that of the Fourth Republic dating from 1946. Charles de Gaulle was the main driving force in introducing the new constitution and inaugurating the Fifth...
since 1860 and passed by the Sénatus-consulte
Sénatus-consulte
A sénatus-consulte was a feature of French law during the French Consulate, First French Empire and Second French Empire.-Consulate and First Empire:...
on 20 April 1870. The changes were approved by 82.7% of voters with an 81.3% turnout. However, France's defeat in the Franco-Prussian War
Franco-Prussian War
The Franco-Prussian War or Franco-German War, often referred to in France as the 1870 War was a conflict between the Second French Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia. Prussia was aided by the North German Confederation, of which it was a member, and the South German states of Baden, Württemberg and...
caused the Empire to be abolished later that year.