How did Louis XVIII's reign differ from Charles X's?

Louis XVIII's reign was more moderate and constitutional, while Charles X's was more reactionary and absolutist.

Louis XVIII, who reigned from 1814 to 1824, was known for his moderate and constitutional approach to governance. He was the first Bourbon king to rule after the French Revolution and the Napoleonic era, and he recognised the need for change. He accepted the Charter of 1814, which established a constitutional monarchy, and he respected the civil liberties it granted, such as freedom of the press and religion. His reign was characterised by a balance between the old regime and the new, and he worked to reconcile the divisions within French society that had been caused by the Revolution.

On the other hand, Charles X, who reigned from 1824 to 1830, was more reactionary and absolutist in his approach. He sought to restore the absolute monarchy and the privileges of the nobility that had been abolished during the French Revolution. He was less willing to compromise and more inclined to use force to achieve his goals. His reign was marked by a series of controversial measures, such as the Anti-Sacrilege Act, which made it a capital offence to insult the Catholic faith, and the July Ordinances, which dissolved the Chamber of Deputies, restricted the press, and limited suffrage. These measures sparked the July Revolution of 1830, which led to his abdication and the establishment of the July Monarchy under Louis-Philippe.

In essence, the difference between the reigns of Louis XVIII and Charles X lies in their approach to governance and their response to the changes brought about by the French Revolution. Louis XVIII was more pragmatic and willing to adapt to the new political landscape, while Charles X was more rigid and resistant to change. This difference in approach ultimately led to very different outcomes for their reigns, with Louis XVIII managing to maintain stability and Charles X's reign ending in revolution.