Chapter 1: Absolutism & Ancien Regime

Question 1

Define Absolute & Despotic monarch

Answer 1

Claims power legally / Ignores & abuses laws

Question 2

What was despotic and non-despotic about the central government of the ancien regime?

Answer 2

Despotic:

• power tended to fall into the hands of independent individuals trying to conduct private business with the King
• no minister was sure he’d keep his post

Non-despotic:

• efficiency of govt. determined by the quality of men controlling the key parts
• councils advised King

Question 3

What was despotic and non-despotic about the Intendants of the ancien regime?

Answer 3

Despotic:
- could request a lettre de cachet against someone

Non-Despotic:

• maintained King’s rule (finance, justice etc.)
• keep central govt. informed

Question 4

What was despotic and non-despotic about the local govt. of the ancien regime?

Answer 4

Despotic:

• some provinces more powerful than others and could agree on taxes with Crown
• noble influence sometimes superior to Intendants in rural areas

Non-Despotic:
- share the power out so attendant isn’t the only powerful person

Question 5

What was despotic and non-despotic about the Parlements of the ancien regime?

Answer 5

Despotic:
- ‘lit de justice’ means King can overrule them

Non-Despotic:
- could question and criticise decrees

Question 6

Name the privileges and burdens of the 1st estate

Answer 6

Privileges:

• clergy didn’t pay direct tax
• could only be prosecuted in church courts

Burdens:
- some were very poor

Question 7

Name the privileges of the 2nd estate

Answer 7

• honorific privileges

- avoid indirect taxes and taille

Question 8

Name the burdens of the 3rd estate

Answer 8

• ‘corvee royale’ = had to do free labour for King maintaining the roads
• paid all taxes
• every male liable to military service
• couldn’t hunt, breed etc. as only signeur had the rights