Absolutism + The Regime

• Marie Antionette had extravagant and expensive taste e.g. built a little hamlet where she could play at farming. Completely oblivious to France’s financial crisis
• Ancien Régime- refers to the political and social system of France before the revolution of 1789. Under this regime, people were subjects rather than citizens and belonged to estates denoting their social status
• Was a Centralised Government – one in which a small group of executives at the highest level of government holds all political authority and all other political units are subject to it
• This included The Conseil d’Etat (council of state)– dealt with major issues of state and foreign affairs
• There was a huge variation in laws and customs across France
• Intendants were royal agents meant to maintain the king's rule in the provinces and keep the central government informed about problems and situations in their provinces - e.g. ensure taxes being paid
• The Parlements were the ‘sovereign courts’ who heard both civil and criminal cases local law courts could not solve
• Parlements could question and criticise decrees and force the King to reconsider by sending a remonstrance.
• The Noblesse de Robe • They acquired their noble status through the system of venality and the purchase of officers. This provided income for the monarchy but led to corruption and blocked the advancement of those with talent
• No standardised weights and measures existed across France, causing issues with scamming involving expensive precious metals
• The bourgeoisie were the wealthy commoners who relied on their skills for income
• The 3rd estate had many obligations such as the requirement to pay many taxes, most notably the taille, and the tithe but also indirect taxes such as the gabelle and the aides
• Main Problems with the Ancien Regime:

  • The system of government was highly inefficient as they all worked against each other to try to advance themselves rather than do a good job

  • There was regular tension between the King and the Parlements
• The legal system wasn't standardised, different local areas also harboured different rules as well - which caused great friction.
• The two times the assembly of notables were called - May 1787 and November 1788 (for the estates general).
• Benefits of the estates:

  • centralised government
  • followed divine right of Kings
  • Gave Louis structure
• What were the parlements?

  The supreme courts of law in pre-revolutionary France. Hearing both civil and criminal cases.
• Dislike to monarchy due to 1785 Diamond necklace affair.
• • The use of the lit de justice caused tensions • From 1785, the Paris Parlement blocked a series of royal reforms and policies – Louis XV tried to abolish the Parlements altogether. Louis XVI restored them to their old status but found them difficult to manage