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Pressures for change (social, economic, and political, including the Enlightenment)

1.1 The Ancien Régime

France

 A Level/AS Level/O Level

History Notes

Your Burning Questions Answered!

Analyze the impact of the Enlightenment on the social stratification and political structures of the Ancien Régime in France.

Discuss the economic pressures that contributed to the growing dissatisfaction with the Ancien Régime and the eventual French Revolution.

How did the ideas of the Enlightenment contribute to the challenges to the legitimacy of the absolute monarchy in France?

Examine the role of the rising bourgeoisie in challenging the power of the aristocracy and the monarchy under the Ancien Régime.

Assess the extent to which the Ancien Régime was able to adapt to the pressures for change in the late 18th century.

Pressures for change (social, economic, and political, including the Enlightenment)

Pressures for Change: The Road to Revolution

1. The Ancien Régime: France Before the Revolution

1.1 Feudalism and Inequality: Imagine a society divided into three groups:

⭐The First Estate: The clergy (priests, bishops, etc.). They owned a massive amount of land, paid little taxes, and had significant social power.
⭐The Second Estate: The nobility (dukes, counts, etc.). They enjoyed special privileges like exemption from most taxes, held high positions in the government and military, and owned vast amounts of land.
⭐The Third Estate: Everyone else. This included peasants, artisans, shopkeepers, lawyers, doctors, bankers, and even wealthy merchants. They were burdened with taxes, had little voice in government, and endured the most hardship.

1.2 Economic Crisis: France was in deep financial trouble thanks to:

⭐Expensive Wars: King Louis XIV's extravagant wars and the American Revolutionary War had drained the treasury.
⭐High Taxes: The burden of funding the government and the monarchy's lavish lifestyle fell heavily on the Third Estate.
⭐Inefficient Farming: Traditional farming methods were unproductive, leading to food shortages and high prices.
⭐Unfair Trade Practices: Merchants and manufacturers faced restrictions and unfair competition from government monopolies.

1.3 Political Power: The king held absolute power, making all the decisions with little input from the people. This system, known as absolutism, lacked representation and accountability:

⭐The Estates General: A body representing the three estates, had not met for almost two centuries because it could challenge the king's power.
⭐The Monarchy: The king's word was law, and he could easily ignore the needs and concerns of the people.

2. The Enlightenment: Seeds of Change

2.1 The Power of Reason: The Enlightenment, a European intellectual movement, emphasized reason, science, and individual liberty. Thinkers like John Locke argued for natural rights like life, liberty, and property, while Montesquieu promoted the separation of powers in government.

2.2 Challenging Authority: The Enlightenment sparked debates about the role of the government and the rights of the people. It highlighted the flaws of the Ancien Régime and inspired people to question the existing order.

2.3 Spread of Ideas: Enlightenment ideas spread through books, newspapers, and salons, influencing public opinion and creating a demand for change.

3. Social Unrest: The Boiling Pot

3.1 Growing Inequality: The gap between the wealthy and the poor was widening, fueling resentment among the Third Estate.
3.2 Economic Discontent: High taxes, inflation, and food shortages caused widespread poverty and hardship.
3.3 Inspiration from America: The American Revolution, which championed freedom and self-government, provided a powerful example of how people could overthrow tyranny.

4. The Spark: The French Revolution

The combination of social, economic, and political pressures finally reached a breaking point.
The summoning of the Estates General in 1789 by King Louis XVI, in an attempt to address the financial crisis, ultimately ignited the revolution.

These pressures for change, fueled by the Enlightenment and the hardships faced by the Third Estate, set the stage for the French Revolution, a pivotal event that would reshape the course of history.

Note: This is a brief overview of the pressures leading to the French Revolution. To gain a deeper understanding, further research into specific historical figures, events, and philosophies is recommended.

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