CHURCH AND STATE IN XIXth CENTURY FRANCE: TOCQUEVILLE AND FREEDOM OF EDUCATION

The discussion in 1844 of a draft law on secondary education gave rise to a broad debate in France about the content and scope of the freedom of education ordained by the Constitution of 1830. In opposition to those that defended the monopoly of the University or its absolute liberalization, Tocqueville was in favor of a regulated freedom. However, beyond the concrete debate of the law, what was at stake was the place reserved for the Church in the new constitutional order implemented by the July Monarchy.