1 THE OLD REGIME

1 THE OLD REGIME1. The Old Regime

2. Systems of government

3. Enlightenment

4. The war of Spanish Succession

5. Enlightened despotism in Spain

1 THE OLD REGIME

1. The Old Regime“Political, social and economic system that

was found in many parts of Europe up to the

18th century”

Based on:

● Society divided in three estates

● Agrarian economy

● Absolute monarchs

The society of statesMain characteristics

Privilege

Lack of mobility

Some Differences Inside Each Group

The society of statesTask: Write around 5 lines justifying or claiming against your social position

The agrarian sector● Subsistence farming: grew grains

using basic tools

● Widespread famine:

depended on the climate

● Entire state has to be

inherited

● Clergy´s land could

not be sold

● Lot of land was

unproductive

Artisan activity and trade● Guilds: obstacle to

innovation

● Domestic system: textile

products

● Royal factories: luxury for

the monarchy

● Foreign trade with America

and Asia

● Triangular trade

Artisan activity and trade● Guilds: obstacle to

innovation

● Domestic system: textile

products

● Royal factories: luxury for

the monarchy

● Foreign trade with America

and Asia: huge profits

● Triangular trade

2. Systems of government

Absolutism was the main system

in Europe on 18th century.

However some countries started

making progress

Absolutism

● Kings owned all the powers

(legislative, executive and

judicial) by divine right

● Their economic policies were

based on mercantilism

2. Systems of government

English paliamentarism

The Dutch Republic

The Dutch Republic It was a confederation of seven provinces, which

had their own governments and were very

independent.

These latter were governed directly by the

States-General (Staten-Generaal in Dutch), the

federal government.

The States-General were seated in The Hague and

consisted of representatives of each of the seven

provinces.

4. The war of Spanish Succession

In 1700 Carlos II died without children

4. The war of Spanish Succession

BORBONS IN SPAIN

4. The war of Spanish Succession

5. Enlightened despotism in Spain

THE FAMILY OF FELIPE IV

THE FAMILY OF

CARLOS IV

Early Bourbon rule

FUENTE