ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Fundamental laws of the Kingdom of France

Okay, imagine you are playing a game with your friends, and in this game, you all have certain rules that you have to follow. These rules are like the fundamental laws of the Kingdom of France.

Now, let's imagine that France is a big kingdom with a king or queen as its leader. Just like how you have your parents who make sure you follow the rules at home, the king or queen in France makes sure that everyone in the kingdom follows the rules.

One of the most important rules in the Kingdom of France is called "The Divine Right of Kings." This rule says that the king or queen has the power to rule because they were chosen by God. It is kind of like when you play a game, and you decide who gets to be the leader. The king or queen believes they have a special connection to God, and that's why they have the power to make important decisions for the country.

Another important rule is called "The Estates-General." This is like a meeting where people from different groups in the kingdom come together to talk about important stuff. Like when you have a class meeting at school, the Estates-General is a meeting where the king or queen talks with representatives of the different groups in the kingdom to make decisions that affect everyone. These groups include the clergy (who are the religious leaders), the nobles (who are important and wealthy people), and the common people (who are regular citizens like you and me).

In addition, there is a set of laws called "Royal Decrees." These laws are made by the king or queen to help keep order in the kingdom. For example, there might be a law that says you have to listen to your parents and do your chores. In the Kingdom of France, the king or queen makes these royal decrees to keep the kingdom running smoothly and to make sure everyone is treated fairly.

Now, let's talk about "The Code Napoleon." This is like a big book of all the rules that people have to follow in the Kingdom of France. It's kind of like when you have a rulebook for a game, and you have to follow the rules to play the game correctly. The Code Napoleon was made by a leader named Napoleon Bonaparte, and it was designed to create a fair and equal society in France. It made sure that everyone had certain rights and responsibilities, like the right to own property or the responsibility to pay taxes.

Finally, there is a fundamental law called "The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen." This law says that every person in the kingdom has certain basic rights, like the right to freedom of speech, religion, and the right to be treated fairly by the law. It's kind of like when you have a list of rules that your friends have to follow when you play a game. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen makes sure that everyone in the Kingdom of France is treated fairly and has the same rights.

So, the fundamental laws of the Kingdom of France are like the rules of a game. They help the king or queen make important decisions, they create fairness and equality, and they ensure that everyone in the kingdom is treated with respect and has basic rights.