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