T1: Problems with the structure of government and estates systems and the enlightenment Flashcards
Louis XVI inherited the throne
1774
there were 13 regional parlements by…
1780s
what was the population of France?
26 mill - overpopulated
name three famous philosophes
Voltaire, Montesquieu, Rousseau
When did the American War of Independence end?
1783
What were the features of the absolute monarchy under the Bourbon family?
- divine right
- no elected representative body to check the power of the king
- king chose minsters and controller-general
- king = only person who could initiate new legislation
- king had right to arbitrary arrest via lettres de cachet
where was the center of political power?
Versailles - one of the largest and grandest palaces in Europe and would host lavish parties frequently
what was the biggest limit on the kings power?
the parlements (local law courts)
what power did the parlements have over the king?
could refuse to register implement laws. king could issue lit de justice, but still difficult to implement w/o support of parlements and could be accused of despotism - difficult position
what could the king issue if parlements refused to register his laws?
a lit de justice
who made up the First Estate?
Catholic clergy
how many people made up the first estate?
130,000 out of 26mill
what was the role of the church in society?
administered poor relief and limited education
what funded the services of the church?
tithe tax paid by the Third Estate to the Church - this was 1/10th of their earnings
what did the Third Estate think about the tithe?
some resented it- thought to make abbots and bishops more wealthy
what is is called when bishops rarely visit their dioceses?
absenteeism
did the First Estate have to pay taxation?
exempt from direct taxation such as the taille (land tax)
in which estate did the majority of wealth lie?
2nd
how many people made up the Second Estate?
120,000-300,000 (out of 26mill)
did the Second Estate have to pay tax?
exempt from nearly all direct tax and some indirect e.g. gabelle (tax on salt)
what privileges did the Second Estate have?
- exempt from compulsory military service
- exclusive hunting and fishing rights
- often granted monopolies
- tax exemption
what percentage of the population did the Third Estate make up?
98%, majority of the population
who were the Third Estate?
mostly peasants, some bourgeoisie
what did some of the Third Estate have to pay as a result of living under system of feudalism?
feudal dues to landowners
what was the system of feudalism?
peasants who lived and farmed on land owned by nobles
what is corvee
Third Estate required to carry out duties on aristocratic estates e.g. maintaining roads
how much did the bourgeoisie grow in the C18th? why?
3x due to growth of trade
Overall, what can be said about the Third Estate?
heavy burden
what was the economy based on, what was the problem with this?
agriculture- weather dependent
what was the name of the system in which power could be bought in government?
venality
was France united?
no- 34 generalities (administrative divisions of France under the Ancien Regime)
what was the consequence of poor transportation?
bad trade- difficult to distribute grain- some starved while others had abundance
example of an indirect tax
gabelle (salt tax)
example of a direct tax
taille (land tax)
what was the role of the Controller General?
in charge of royal finances
what percentage of men and women were literate in the 1700s?
29% men
14% women
who were the members of the parlements?
important local nobles and higher clergymen, not elected
what is the definition of the Ancien Regime?
the political and social system of France from the late middle ages until the revolution
how many bourgeoisie were there?
2.3 mill
how were the bourgeoisie a threat to the estates system?
bought positions in nobility- venal office holders
how much did the tithe raise for the church p/a?
50 million livres per year
why were the 1st estate exempt from direct taxation?
had a ‘don gratuit’ (free gift) from the king
what is it called when one bishop is responsible for multiple dioceses?
plurality - means can collect money for multiple!
