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(Prior to French Revolution). King Louis XIV was an absolute monarch. He used a tax system that greatly benefited the wealthy. Also, society was broken down into three classes (estates). Most important to the coming Revolution was the rebellious Nobility of Second Estate. Clergy was the first estate, which owned much land and power due to no separation of Church/State. The second estate was made up of nobility that came from wealth and title. Like the clergy, they had generous rights and privileges. Both the first and second estates were exempt from taxes; therefore, the third estate had to supply all of France's tax income. They were the largest group by far, and consisted of peasants, middle class, and urban workers.
The middle class created a stink over their social status, whereas they were above the peasants in wealth and possession, but still considered equals to the destitute in the eye of the all-important social courts. But more importantly, urban workers' anger over low wages/shortage of food led to mob violence in the Revolution. The third estate was also forced into military service and harsh restrictions, such as being forbidden to hunt game. This became even more of a problem following the famine due to erratic weather problems. Lastly, extravagant spending of the crown led to more taxation, more rebellions, and more spending to quell them. With Enlightenment ideas spreading like wildfire (such as John Locke), it made the third class realize how unequally they were treated; thus a major rebellion was imminent.
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The French bourgeoisie supported the French Revolution mainly because they?
They resented their lack of political power under the Old Regime.
What were the characteristics of the Old Regime?
It was very old fashioned hence the world ancien which meant old. This meant that it didn't move with the rapid modernization of the western world and therefore was hated by many people. The taxes and things as such was very much based on the facts and figures of the time periods between 1700-1800, and as you know money was much higher back then. Therefore 10% of the incomes (which was what it was in the ancien regime) was quite alot for the people now. There is a very close saying of the president of the time and this statement by the inventor of the old regime '(H)ail (A)nciem (K)eron (A)esdi (N)ais' which translates to 'The anciem regime is oficialy old'
Who was Dauphin Louis Auguste?
Dauphin Louis Auguste was also known as Louis, Dauphin of France, and later became King Louis XVI of France. He married Marie Antoinette, Archduchess of Austria. Their marriage was the catalyst to the French Revolution. Marie Antoinette embraced the lavish lifestyle of the French royal court with enthusiasm. She had little regard for the poor and struggling peasants, and spent money frivolously. For her attitude, she became the symbol of the people's hatred for the old regime during the French Revolution. When the French Revolution began, Marie Antionette supported the old regime. When the National Convention established the French Republic in 1792, Marie Antoinette and the king were imprisoned. Antoinette was beheaded on 16 October 1793.
What does the term old regime refers to?
The Ancien Régime ( Old Regime) refers primarily to the aristocratic, social and political system established in France from (roughly) the 15th century to the 18th century under the late Valois and Bourbon dynasties.
What did the declaration of rights of man mean to the old regime?
It meant nothing to the Ancient Regime. Absolute Monarchs ruled by Divine Right and with the full blessing of the Catholic Church. Under that set of rules and guidance there could be no Rights of Man and the Citizen.
