who were known as active citizens in france
Active and passive citizens Active Citizens numbered around four million men. They were required to be literate, speak French, and have been a resident for more than one year. They had a stake in the government bodies. They paid taxes equal to about three days work a year. These men met in primary assemblies to nominate electors and members of the councils in their municipalities. Active citizens (and their sons over the age of 18) were also, in that period, the basis for the French National Guard, the military bastion of the middle class.