1. Readings and Goal Setting
Revolutions Unit 3 AOS 1
Date: 23/05/2019
Readings and Goal Setting
Learning intention:
SWBAT create a class mind-map of a revolution model
SWBAT explain the administrative and political scenario in ancien regime France.
Success Criteria
Spend 10 minutes writing Mr. Cain a letter with details about yourself and your expectations, thoughts and concerns for next year
Spend 5 minutes brainstorming the concept of revolution
Take at least 5 dot point notes on the “talent is overrated” slides

2. Revolutions Unit 3 AOS 1
Date: 23/05/2019
Success Criteria
Spend 15 minutes working in a group to map out the concept of revolution
Take at least 15 dot point notes on France’s Ancien Regime

3. Revolutions Unit 3 AOS 1
Date: 23/05/2019
Success Criteria
Note taking is an extremely important skill that students develop even in university and beyond.
Note taking involves writing down key information.
How to do it effectively:
Do not worry about spelling or grammar. You can use ‘short hand’ (e.g. acronyms, phrases, etc).
If you miss something, write down a quick note or the key information and leave a question mark (?) to remind you to look it up later.
Group information into sections. Use sub-headings when a new piece of information is presented and list subsequent information under the sub heading

4. The Ancien Régime The ancien régime is French for ‘The Old Regime
Revolutions Unit 3 AOS 1
Date: 23/05/2019
The Ancien Régime
The ancien régime is French for ‘The Old Regime
Using the correct French Expression is a way of showing your historical knowledge – this use of key terminology and ‘jargon’ will get you more exam marks
The ancien regime describes the monarchic, aristocratic, social and political system established in the Kingdom of France from approximately the 15th century until the late 18th century – i.e. the revolution
Through powerpoint slides and readings we will unpack the social, administrative and monarchical elements of the ancien régime

5. Revolutions Unit 3 AOS 1
Date: 23/05/2019
France’s government
On top was the King, at the time we’re concerned, it’s a guy called Louis XVI.
We’ll come back and look at him in a moment
He was said to have absolute power meaning he had complete power over his people.
This was sort of the case, though he did have to abide by some laws and customs and he did have to consult the Council of Ministers and Advisors to make laws.

6. Revolutions Unit 3 AOS 1
Date: 23/05/2019
France’s government
He can, however, issue a lit de justice, which over-rides any obstacles to his laws and edicts being passed
Opposition can be arbitrarily and summarily imprisoned – sometimes in the Bastille - through his use of a lettre de cachet

7. Ministers and advisors
Revolutions Unit 3 AOS 1
Date: 23/05/2019
Ministers and advisors
These guys are pretty powerful
Chief Minister: Controller-General
All deal with the King individually – no cabinet
They are appointed by the king, meaning they generally support him, or are sacked.
There are ministries for polics, justice, navy, army and finance – these guys form his council.

8. Administration is a mess
Revolutions Unit 3 AOS 1
Date: 23/05/2019
Administration is a mess
France’s administrative system is best described as incoherent, inconsistent and inefficient.
Provinces (around 39)
Headed by a Governor (ceremonial position)
Generalities (36)
Headed by an Intendant
Far reaching powers
Tax zones; other administrative responsibilities
Ressorts
Jurisdictional area of parlements (law courts)
Have the power to register or veto royal edicts or laws.
Parishes & diocese
The church divisions – more on these later
All interpret the King’s edicts or laws and implement them as they see fit and/or according to local customs
Result: an inconsistent and inefficient administration

9. Administration is a mess
Revolutions Unit 3 AOS 1
Date: 23/05/2019
Administration is a mess
France’s administrative system is best described as incoherent, inconsistent and inefficient.
Each authority interprets laws differently, each collects different taxes and customs imposed different weights and measures often had different languages.
A tax based on a weight/measure could mean very different things in different areas
Law may not be written in a language you speak or even read.
A guy in the same province as you may be in a completely different Generalitie to you so pay completely different tax, and also be under a different court system

10. Louis XVI’s divine rule
Revolutions Unit 3 AOS 1
Date: 23/05/2019
Louis XVI’s divine rule
Look carefully at this next picture
Think about:
How does the painting convey the immense personal power of the king, Louis XVI?
Messages communicated through his pose and expression?
Anything else of note about the painting.

11. Louis XVI’s divine rule
Revolutions Unit 3 AOS 1
Date: 23/05/2019
Louis XVI’s divine rule

12. Louis XVI’s divine rule
Revolutions Unit 3 AOS 1
Date: 23/05/2019
Louis XVI’s divine rule
Louis XVI was what is known as a Divine Right Absolute Monarch (DRAM)
This rests of the following:
Absolutism
Absolute authority
Documents and practise support
Power to pass laws, appoint ministers, declare war and peace, impose taxes, control currency, etc
Divine Right
Religious belief (devout country)
Power from God – think of significance? Modern equivalent?
Can one criticise/challenge God?
Dynasty
Tradition – long line of rulers
Military power
Supreme commander

13. So how do we get from that to his head being cut off??
Revolutions Unit 3 AOS 1
Date: 23/05/2019
So how do we get from that to his head being cut off??

14. The King is generally well respected…

15. Marie-Antoinette, however…
Austrian royalty
Promised to Louis XVI as a child – peace process between traditional enemies, Austria and France
Marries Louis in 1770, aged 14.
Young couple unable to conceive for seven years – largely as a result of Louis’ unfortunate “problem” – inability to produce a male heir does not endear her to the French public.

17. Actually, the fault lay with Louis’
In the words of Simon Schama, sexual relations were “complicated”
Letter from Joseph II, emperor of Austria and Marie- Antoinette’s brother, 1777:
[Louis] has strong, well-conditioned erections, introduces the member, stays there without moving for perhaps two minutes and withdraws without ejaculating but still erect and says good night; this is incomprehensible because he sometimes has nightly emissions but once in place and going at it, never – he says plainly that he does it from a sense of duty.
Poor Marie-Antoinette!
Louis’ “Problem” finally corrected through minor surgery. Able to conceive a child (a daughter, mind you…)

18. Marie-Antoinette But her reputation slides for a number of reasons:
Apparent financial recklessness – she regularly runs up large debts – and indifference to the suffering of others
‘Let them eat cake’
Diamond Necklace Affair
Labelled “Madame Deficit”

19. Also… Subject to vicious rumour and innuendo. For example...
Scandal sheets
Political pornography
Accuse her of sexual misadventure (eg. affairs with Artois and Lafayette), infidelity, lesbianism, even incest.
She becomes known as the ‘Austrian Whore’
Louis is ridiculed as a cuckold (cheated-upon husband).

21. Marie-Antoinette as a harpy (1793)

22. So that get’s us to the king’s head being chopped off??
There are still a bunch of other long term causes at play and more to come in the short term before the revolution
You will look at some of these in your holiday readings.