Ancien Regime Flashcards
What justification did Louis use regarding his position as king
The divine right from god
What were the lettres de cachet
Gave Louis XVI the power to imprison anyone without trial
What did the lit de justice allow Louis XVI to do
Imprison anyone without trial
How can the monarchy under Louis be described
An absolute monarchy
Who were the intendants?
Royal agents in the provinces whose job was to exert royal authority and maintain louis’ power across the provinces
What jobs did the intendants carry out?
-collected tax
-raised troops
-presided over royal courts
-ensured kings edicts were carried out
What was a limitation of the intendants ?
Had to gain approval from the king before carrying anything out
What were the parlements?
Sovereign courts with the right to remonstrate and critique decrees given by the king
What were the populations associated with the estates
1st estate- 150,000
2nd estate- 400,000
3rd estate-rest
Venality in France
70,000 venal offices
Officials bought their positions
What taxes did the third estate pay?
Direct taxes eg. Taille and Tithe
Indirect taxes eg. Gabelle (salt tax) and aides (drinks tax)
What privileges did the church have ?
Exempt from ordinary taxation
Received tithe from third estate
Church leaders had large amounts of political influence eg. Brienne archbishop of Toulouse became chief minister in 1787
Controlled censorship of publications as well as education and poor relief
How much land did the church own ?
10%
What was the don gratuit?
A substitute given by the church instead of tax
It was given to the government every ten years
Equivalent to 16m per year from an income of 250m.
Privileges of second estate
Exempt from conscription
Exempt from the taille
Huge political influence- all of the kings ministers, ambassadors, governors and intendants were noble
Beheaded instead of hung
