ABSTRACT
The French Revolution, together with its American counterpart, originated modern electoral democracy. Widespread and frequent elections became the hallmark of the revolutionary decade. The Revolution made elections the source of political legitimacy, the expression of the popular will, and the mechanism for selecting public officials. More than one million elective offices were created in 1790. The Constitution of 1795 incorporated term limits and rotation in office. Starting in 1792, electors were reimbursed for travel expenses they incurred while meeting their civic responsibilities. Although America inaugurated the principle of the people as a constituent power, France originated the democratic tradition of direct popular ratification of a constitution. The Constitution of 1793 established the first democratic republic in modern history.
