1. The Ancien Regime of Pre-Revolution France
Libertyville HS

2. The Ancien Regime
The aristocratic social / political system est. in France from 1500 to late 1700s
Characteristics
Feudal (nobility, primogeniture, peasants)
Divine right of kings
Aristocratic privilege
Born to status (not earned)
Maintained control over local government, justice system

3. The Estates System Estates = social classes of Ancien Regime
Three social classes into which people were born
Mobility dependent upon wealth
Royal family “above” the Estate system, not a part of it

4. Three Estates of France
First Estate = Church
% of population = .6% (about 200,000)
High clergy = drawn from nobility
Lower clergy = commoners
Responsibilities
Record keepers
Moral police (censored books)
Benefits: owned 10-15% of land, tax free
High clergy paid no taxes

5. Three Estates of France
Second Estate = Nobility
About 2% of population, or 550,000
Duties
Ran local government, judicial branch
Benefits
Exempt from taxation
Right to bear weapons
Coat of arms
Collect taxes

6. Three Estates of France
Third Estate = everyone else
About 97.5% of population, or 26.2 million
“Bourgeoisie” = middle class
Peasant farmers & urban workers
Duties
Pay taxes (50%+ of income) to First, Second estates & State
Work!!! (Farms, factories)
Serve to First, Second Estates and the State
Benefits: ???

7. Factors contributing to French Revolution
Economic factors
Massive military spending
Wars of Religion,
30 Years War,
Wars of Louis XIV,
War of Spanish Succession,
Seven Years War,
American Revolution,
Unmanageable national debt
Inequitable taxation system
High unemployment of urban poor
High bread prices

8. Factors contributing to French Revolution
Social / Political Factors
Resentments of 3rd Estate
…against Royal Absolutism
…against Church’s privilege
… of bourgeoisie, vs. nobility
… of peasants, vs. feudal system and nobility
Enlightenment ideas of liberty and republicanism
King seen as out of touch
Evil ministers + good king perception
Firing ministers story