OLD REGIME in France

The TRADITIONAL Society

Changed in 1789

OLD REGIME=The Traditional Social and Political System in France

• Society divided into 3 “estates”

• Ruled by King Louis XVI and wife Marie Antoinette (MONARCHY)

• When King Louis spent all his money, he had to ask for more $ in taxes

THE ESTATES=The Social Classes of France

• First Estate: THE CLERGY (all Church officials)1% of population, owned 10% of landPaid no taxes (could donate salary…2%)

• Second Estate: THE NOBLES (Aristocracy)2% of population, owned 20% of landPaid no taxes, held government and military positions

• Third Estate: THE PEOPLE97% of population, paid over half of salary in taxes (to Clergy, to Nobles, to King) 3 types of people: BOURGEOISIE (Middle Class), SANS-CULOTTES (City Workers), Peasant Farmers

THIRD ESTATE: 97% of France, only group that paid taxes.

• Bourgeoisie (Borj-wa-ZEE): Well-educated; doctors, lawyers, teachers, merchants. Believed in Enlightenment ideas.

• Sans-Culottes (San-coo-LOT): Poor, uneducated, city workers. Laborers or servants. Lived on bread (cheapest food).

• Peasant Farmers: Poorest group, 80% of France’s total population. Legally tied to a noble’s land.

Sans-culottes (see their pants?)

Peasant Farmers (see their rags?)

THE ESTATES-GENERAL=The Meeting of All 3 Estates

• King Louis XVI had to call the Estates-General meeting because he needed money (raise tax)

• Each Estate met in a separate room

• Each Estate got one vote• Question: Who should

pay more taxes to the King???

1789 ESTATES-GENERAL MEETING=Third Estate Breaks Away!

• First Estate (1% of pop.): voted that Third Estate should pay more taxes

• Second Estate (2% of pop.): voted that Third Estate should pay the taxes

• Third Estate (97% of pop.): voted that the system should be changed vote by head (population), not by order (Estate)

• RESULT: Third Estate loses, votes to establish a National Assembly