2. French Society through Ancien regime Flashcards
What was French society split into?
Three sections known as the Estates of the Realm
What were the three sections known as and who was in them?
1st estate - Clergy
2nd estate - Nobility
3rd estate - Everyone else
Who was in the 1st estate?
Members of religious orders
3 issues contributing to hatred towards the church?
Tithles
exemption from taxes
power over people
How much did the church gain through land tax per year?
50 million livres per year
What are Cahiers?
List of suggestions for reform drawn by representatives from each estate
What were 3 privileges of the 2nd estate?
Being tried in their own court
exempt from military service
exempt from taxation
Which three social groups formed the 3rd estate?
Bourgeoisise, pesantry and urban workers
Define Voting by order?
estates vote separately and the majority wins
Define voting by head?
Majority sufficient to agree to any policy
What was the difference between conservatives and liberals?
conservatives did not want reform
liberals had differing political views
What did the cahiers from all three estates have in common?
They all didn’t want absolute power to the crown and wanted the king’s power restricted
How was the national assembly formed?
The 3rd estate refused to do anything and passed motion to call themselves the national assembly
When was the Tennis court oath?
1789 20th June
What occurred at the Tennis court meeting?
the 3rd estate took an oath not to leave the kings session without been given a constitution
