France's first constitution, created in 1791, established a distinction between active and passive citizenship. Active citizens were those who could vote and participate in political life, fulfilling certain requirements such as being male, over the age of 25, and paying a specific amount in direct taxes. Passive citizens, on the other hand, were excluded from these rights.
The designation of passive citizens in 1791 can be attributed to societal norms, traditions, and prevailing ideas of the time. Women, for instance, were generally considered subordinate to men and were not widely regarded as capable of equal political participation. Additionally, property ownership and tax payments were seen as markers of social and economic status, and those without sufficient means were often denied full citizenship.
The exclusion of passive citizens from active political participation continued until further changes were made to France's constitutional framework. Subsequent revolutions and constitutional revisions, particularly during the French Revolution of 1789 and the establishment of the First Republic, gradually expanded the definition of citizenship to include more individuals. Eventually, women and other previously marginalized groups gained equal political rights and full participation in French society.