OLD REGIME in France The TRADITIONAL Society Changed

OLD REGIME in France The TRADITIONAL Society Changed in 1789

OLD REGIME=The Traditional Social and Political System in France • Society divided into 3 “estates” • Ruled by King Louis XVI and wife Marie Antoinette (MONARCHY) • When King Louis spent all his money, he had to ask for more $ in taxes

THE ESTATES=The Social Classes of France • First Estate: THE CLERGY (all Church officials) 1% of population, owned 10% of land Paid no taxes (could donate salary… 2%) • Second Estate: THE NOBLES (Aristocracy) 2% of population, owned 20% of land Paid no taxes, held government and military positions • Third Estate: THE PEOPLE 97% of population, paid over half of salary in taxes (to Clergy, to Nobles, to King) 3 types of people: BOURGEOISIE (Middle Class), SANS-CULOTTES (City Workers), Peasant Farmers

THIRD ESTATE: 97% of France, only group that paid taxes. • Bourgeoisie (Borj-wa-ZEE): Well-educated; doctors, lawyers, teachers, merchants. Believed in Enlightenment ideas. • Sans-Culottes (San-coo-LOT): Poor, uneducated, city workers. Laborers or servants. Lived on bread (cheapest food). • Peasant Farmers: Poorest group, 80% of France’s total population. Legally tied to a noble’s land.

Sans-culottes (see their pants? ) Peasant Farmers (see their rags? )

THE ESTATES-GENERAL=The Meeting of All 3 Estates • King Louis XVI had to call the Estates-General meeting because he needed money (raise tax) • Each Estate met in a separate room • Each Estate got one vote • Question: Who should pay more taxes to the King? ? ?

1789 ESTATES-GENERAL MEETING=Third Estate Breaks Away! • First Estate (1% of pop. ): voted that Third Estate should pay more taxes • Second Estate (2% of pop. ): voted that Third Estate should pay the taxes • Third Estate (97% of pop. ): voted that the system should be changed vote by head (population), not by order (Estate) • RESULT: Third Estate loses, votes to establish a National Assembly