Monegasque Revolution
Encyclopedia
The Monegasque Revolution of 1910 was a series of confrontations by the subjects of Monaco
against their ruler, Prince Albert I. It led to the end of absolute monarchy
with the promulgation of the Constitution of Monaco
the following year.
The subjects had several grievances against the prince. There was severe unemployment as the country lacked farmlands or factories and the gaming establishment banned the hiring of the prince's subjects. Their national pride was hampered by poor reputation as "the moral cesspool of Europe". In addition, the prince spent his money in France rather than at home. They demanded a constitution and a parliament with the threat of overthrowing the monarchy
and establishing a republic
should the prince fail to comply. Other demands included the termination of Camille Blanc
and Roland Bonaparte
's monopoly over the gaming establishment, the removal of French citizens from state offices, and the separation of the prince's finances from the state's.
In early March 1910, a delegation arrived to deliver an ultimatum
to the prince. Later that month, the prince acquiesced to their demands. For the rest of the year, there were protests against French domination of Monaco's government and economy. The Prince's Palace
was also stormed by an angry mob who looted the palace.
The prince escaped with the help of the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince
and stayed in France until the riots died down.
Soldiers of the Compagnie did try to defend the palace but ultimately failed after the day long riot.
On 5 January 1911, the constitution was promulgated. Nevertheless, Prince Albert still wielded considerable power and suspended the constitution during World War I
.
After Prince Albert's death in 1922, the New York Times published a 1921 interview with him on the process and his views on the need for the 1911 revolution.
Monaco
Monaco , officially the Principality of Monaco , is a sovereign city state on the French Riviera. It is bordered on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about from Italy. Its area is with a population of 35,986 as of 2011 and is the most densely populated country in the...
against their ruler, Prince Albert I. It led to the end of absolute monarchy
Absolute monarchy
Absolute monarchy is a monarchical form of government in which the monarch exercises ultimate governing authority as head of state and head of government, his or her power not being limited by a constitution or by the law. An absolute monarch thus wields unrestricted political power over the...
with the promulgation of the Constitution of Monaco
Constitution of Monaco
The Constitution of Monaco, first adopted in 1911 after the Monegasque Revolution and heavily revised by Prince Rainier III on December 17, 1962, outlines three branches of government, including several administrative offices and a number of councils, who share advisory and legislative power with...
the following year.
The subjects had several grievances against the prince. There was severe unemployment as the country lacked farmlands or factories and the gaming establishment banned the hiring of the prince's subjects. Their national pride was hampered by poor reputation as "the moral cesspool of Europe". In addition, the prince spent his money in France rather than at home. They demanded a constitution and a parliament with the threat of overthrowing the monarchy
Abolished monarchy
Throughout history, monarchies have been abolished, either through revolutions, legislative reforms, coups d'état, or wars. The twentieth century saw a major acceleration of this process, with many monarchies violently overthrown by revolution or war, or else abolished as part of the process of...
and establishing a republic
Republic
A republic is a form of government in which the people, or some significant portion of them, have supreme control over the government and where offices of state are elected or chosen by elected people. In modern times, a common simplified definition of a republic is a government where the head of...
should the prince fail to comply. Other demands included the termination of Camille Blanc
Camille Blanc
Camille Blanc , born in Paris, was a French municipal leader, with many interests in Monaco. From 1904 to 1925 he was founding mayor of Beausoleil, a town adjacent to Monte Carlo, which had previously formed part of La Turbie and had been known as Monte-Carlo-Supérieur.Blanc was also for many years...
and Roland Bonaparte
Roland Bonaparte
Roland Bonaparte, 6th Prince of Canino and Musignano was a French prince and president of the Société de Géographie from 1910 until his death.-Biography:...
's monopoly over the gaming establishment, the removal of French citizens from state offices, and the separation of the prince's finances from the state's.
In early March 1910, a delegation arrived to deliver an ultimatum
Ultimatum
An ultimatum is a demand whose fulfillment is requested in a specified period of time and which is backed up by a threat to be followed through in case of noncompliance. An ultimatum is generally the final demand in a series of requests...
to the prince. Later that month, the prince acquiesced to their demands. For the rest of the year, there were protests against French domination of Monaco's government and economy. The Prince's Palace
Prince's Palace of Monaco
The Prince's Palace of Monaco is the official residence of the Prince of Monaco. Built in 1191 as a Genoese fortress, during its long and often dramatic history it has been bombarded and besieged by many foreign powers. Since the end of the 13th century, it has been the stronghold and home of the...
was also stormed by an angry mob who looted the palace.
The prince escaped with the help of the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince
Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince
The Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince is a military unit of the military force of Monaco and is one of the only militaries that recruit foreigners. Although Monaco's defence is the responsibility of France, it maintains a small force for the protection of the Sovereign Prince of Monaco...
and stayed in France until the riots died down.
Soldiers of the Compagnie did try to defend the palace but ultimately failed after the day long riot.
On 5 January 1911, the constitution was promulgated. Nevertheless, Prince Albert still wielded considerable power and suspended the constitution during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
After Prince Albert's death in 1922, the New York Times published a 1921 interview with him on the process and his views on the need for the 1911 revolution.