The French Republic

Founded in 1792 when King Louis Philippe I, who had been crowned mere months before in the May Revolution, abolished the monarchy and established a Republic.

Speech by Louis Philippe which ended the Kingdom of the French and brought about the French Republic:

"My brothers, the last few months have seen chaos unimaginable even during the height of the Revolution! We have seen brother fight brother just outside the walls of our very city! These times, they weigh heavily upon me. They weigh heavily upon all of us.

Last night, amidst a fitful bout of restless sleep I received a vision! A woman, so beautiful words can not do her justice came to me as I sat upon the throne. As I sat in wordless awe she spoke to me in a voice I will never forget. Clear, strong, forceful, yet soothing. The voice of an angel! She told me, Louis Philippe you have dethroned the false King of Lies Louis Capet. You have brought the ideals of the Republic, the ideals of Montesqieu and Rousseau to the throne. You have changed the course of history forever! But you have also divided our nation. You wear a crown that no longer symbolizes strength, that no longer symbolizes honor. No! It is a crown of oppression, it is a burden upon the very people of France you love so dear! If you truly love them, you will cast aside that crown and bring a true Republic to the people! You will bring them to my loving bosom, for I am Lady Liberty! My embrace is the only thing that can truly heal France, that can truly set the people free! If you truly love them, if you truly love the Liberty which you so espouse, you will end the Monarchy and free France once and for all!

And now, my fellow Frenchmen I stand before you and ask for your forgiveness. Your forgiveness for not acting sooner. Your forgiveness for continuing your oppression by holding onto this accursed crown! I ask for you to absolve me of my sins and take me in as one of your own! FOR I NO LONGER STAND BEFORE YOU AS KING LOUIS PHILIPPE I, I STAND BEFORE YOU AS CITIZEN LOUIS PHILIPPE JOSEPH D'ORLEANS!

[The King removes the crown and places it in a lockbox held by one of his guards where it is taken away to a Museum]

"This crown shall no longer sit on the head of any French leader! I hereby abolish the monarchy and declare myself President Louis Philippe Joseph d'Orléans of the First French Republic! Upon the conclusion of the revolution a constitutional convention shall be held to determine a True Republican Constitution to govern France for all time! Once that is done, elections will be held for all offices including mine own! FROM THIS DAY FORWARD NO MAN SHALL EVER LEGITIMATELY CALL HIMSELF KING OF FRANCE! Liberté! Égalité! Fraternité! Vive la France! Vive la République!"