1650- 1789*- Struggle for Survival and Sovereignty European Social and Political Order *its more like 1600- 1715, but whatever…

Introduction “This poor country is a horrible sight. It is stripped of everything. The soldiers take possession of the farms…there are no more horses…the peasants are reduced to sleeping in the woods…and if they only had enough bread to half satisfy their hunger, they would indeed count themselves happy” - Abbess of a French town, Jan. 1649

Introduction France had just emerged a victory of the 30 Years War, only to find itself in a series of internal revolts (not just in France, all of Europe experienced this) The revolts signaled that there were new strains on European society from the bottom (Peasants/serfs) to the top (nobility, Royals) Upper Society Pressures: central government and monarchs- Kings vs. Aristocrats “The Royal Power is absolute…the Prince need render account of his acts to no one” vs. “our privileges and liberties are our right and due inheritance, no less than our very lands and goods” Consequences are violence or compromises but either way both showed the extreme strain on the elite order

Introduction For the vast majority- peasants who worked the fields- pressures came from powers that were outside of their control: - landowning aristocracy required service and obedience, sometimes in the form of taxes - government officials demanded taxes and military service - “acts of god”; bad weather, failed harvests and more plagues Despite a few revolts and uprisings, for the most part the peasants were up against the fates and well armed soldiers

Stresses on Traditional Society What is the traditional social order- describe it, how did they distinguish themselves? Impact of Religion on the social order- describe it Prepare a list or chart or some other representation of all of the demands on rural populations. Think what the political, social, religious, economic, and cultural demands were - what are some consequences of these demands? Prepare a similar list or chart for the upper orders/classes What is Royal Absolutism (according to the text)?