France before the

Revolution: the Ancien

Regime

What was Europe like before the French

Revolution?

Print off the map and make notes on the countries of Europe using the next few slides

• France was a powerful and important country, ruled by the Bourbon family.

• King Louis XVI came to the throne in 1774; he was an absolute monarch.

• In 1763, France had been forced to surrender most of her overseas empire to Britain after being defeated in The Seven Years War.

• France had a middle class, consisting of businessmen, traders lawyers and doctors, but they were unable to participate in any form of government.

• Prussia was ruled by Frederick the Great, another absolute monarch.

• He spent the majority of his reign fighting wars and conquering neighbouring lands.

• The Habsburg Empire consisted of the Austrian Netherlands (now Belgium), Austria and Hungary and had been the most powerful empire in central Europe until Fredrick the Great challenged its power.

• Emperor Joseph II ruled this empire as an absolute monarch, but was not popular.

• It was a disjointed empire with more than 20 different languages being spoken within it.

• In 1787, Belgians rebelled against Joseph’s rule.

• Russia was ruled by Catherine the Great, another absolute monarch.

• Russia had taken land from Poland, Turkey and Sweden.

• Farming methods were old fashioned and they faced bad harvests and famine.

• The labourers who worked the land were serfs – a type of slave.

• In 1773, a Cossack had rebelled, leading an army of serfs – it was brutally crushed in 1774.

• Britain was the exception as George III was not an absolute monarch.

• He shared power with Parliament.• Britain was rich and powerful and the first

of the European countries to experience an Industrial Revolution.

• It had a strong navy and a huge overseas empire.

• In 1776, Britain’s American colonies declared themselves independent and independence was officially granted in 1783.

• Although there were no major revolts in Britain itself, there were riots, such as the Gordon riots of 1780, leaving 400 dead.

What was the AncienRegime?

First Estate: Clergy

Second Estate: Nobility

Third Estate: Everyone else

The Three Estates

The First Estate

• Made up of members of the Church• Incredibly powerful

• Owned about 1/10 of the land in France• Some of its leaders played a very important part in the

government• Most were quite poor

• Had a number of privileges, including exemption from the taille(the main tax)

• Could not be called up for military service• Tried in their own courts

The Second Estate

• About 400,000 of them

• Owned about 1/3 of the land

• Vast variations of wealth

• Served the king in battle, at court and in government

• In return for serving the King in war they were granted privileges, including exemption from many taxes

The Third Estate

• Ranging from rich businessmen and professionals to poor peasants

• No privileges

• Played no part in running the country

• Most of them did not own the land they farmed

• They had to pay rent and work free of charge for the local landowner on certain days of the year

• Had to pay taxes to the government, including the taille and the gabelle

• Had to pay tithes to the Church

• Often paid ¾ of their yearly income in taxes

• Expected to fight whenever France went to war

• Colour code the statements for the First, Second and Third Estates

The Monarchy

• French kings were absolute monarchs – their powers were not limited by other people or groups, so they felt that they did not have to answer to the people for what they did.

• They did have to ensure that the people respected God and they did have to defend their people and make sure that they respected the law.

• The people also expected kings to rule by the law of the land.

• Their main place of residence became the Palace of Versailles, just outside Paris.

• Complete the table about Louis XVI using the slides on the PowerPoint

• Louis XVI came to the throne in 1774.• In 1770 he had married Marie Antoinette, the daughter of

Maria Theresa, Empress of Austria.• The marriage had been arranged by diplomats who wanted to

strengthen the links between the two powerful royal families.

• At the time of the wedding, Louis was only 15 years old.

• Louis grew into a big man with a huge appetite. • He would get up at six o’clock, eat four chops, a chicken, six

eggs, a slice of ham and drink a bottle and a half of champagne.

• He would then go hunting and return hungry again!

• In 1778, the Queen gave birth to a daughter.

• In 1781, a son was born and another in 1785.

• Louis was a proud father and enjoyed spending time with his children.

• His eldest son died of tuberculosis at the age of 8 and the royal couple were devastated; they cut off all public appearances.

• This was to happen less than a month before the dramatic, revolutionary events of July 1789.

He did not have the qualities needed by a man born to be a leader. He was timid and lacked self confidence. It was soon recognised that others could influence his decisions.

A member of the parlement (law court) of Paris

Some common sense, simple tastes, an honest heart: that is his good side. He tends not to be able to make his mind up and he is weak willed: there is the contrast.

From the journal of the Abbe de Veri, 1775

The public began to be disturbed and alarmed by the money spent by Her Majesty there. By her order the gardens have been completely changed into the style of an English garden, which cost at least 15,000 livres. The Queen has had a theatre built; she has only presented one play there, followed by supper, but this entertainment was very expensive.

The Queen's allowance has been doubled, and yet she has debts. She has bought many diamonds, and her card playing has become very costly.

Letters from the Austrian ambassador at Versailles, to Marie Antoinette's mother, 1776.

• Read the article on:

•The Human Side of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette - Biography

• Add notes to your table on Louis XVI

• There is an excellent film called Marie Antoinette, 2006

• If you can watch this, it will give an excellent insight into the royal family.