Ancien Regime Flashcards
what was the ancien regime
It was the old regime; was the old social and political structure like a feudal system
what did it mean
it meant there was an absolute monarchy meaning that the people were controlled by the king and only the king
who was the king
king Louis the 16th was absolute monarch accountable only to God. He held the throne by divine right. after he was executed in 1793, his son died, so the throne was passed down to his nephew
what was the french fuedal system
The feudal system within France was an absolute monarchy as well as three classes
first estate
the first state was the clergy, it contained the wealthy Cardinals, archbishops, bishops, Abbots, priest, fries, deacons. It was 0.5% of the total population. It had power and privileges
second estate
the second estate was the aristocrats and nobles. It contained higher nobility, Prince is, barons, counts and Earls. It also contained lower nobility which includes nights, Gentry, Squires. The second state made up 1.5% of the total population. They had power and privileges
third estate
the third estate was the working class. They did all the work, paid the taxes, had tides and had duties. They had no real privilege or power and worked in fields, in officers, as lawyers, journalists etc
what were they nicknamed
they were nicknamed the rest
how much of the population did the 3e take up
the third estate made up 98% of the population
