1. Absolute Monarchy in France
A look into 18th Century France

2. The Problem with Silver
Latin American silver in Europe created inflation
It seemed like they were richer because there was more gold and silver, but more silver made it worth less, causing prices to go up.
Economies weakened, which led to poor leadership
Solution? Come up with a style of government that gives more power to the monarch for stability

3. The rise of absolutism
Absolutism – a form of centralized, unlimited authority. Usually ruled by a monarch or dictator.
Louis XIV
“the Sun King”

4. Quick lesson in roman numerals
X = ten
V = five
I = one
If a smaller roman numeral is before a larger roman numeral, you subtract them
Louis XIV = Louis 10 + (5-1) = Louis 14th
Louis XVI = Louis = Louis 16th

5. Roman Numerals up to 20 I One XI Eleven II Two XII Twelve III Three
XIII
Thirteen IV
Four
XIV
Fourteen V
Five XV
Fifteen VI
Six
XVI
Sixteen
VII
Seven
XVII
Seventeen
VIII
Eight
XVIII
Eighteen IX
Nine
XIX
Nineteen X
Ten XX
Twenty

6. Louis XIV Louis XIV – “the sun king”
His predecessors had dominated the nobles, so he inherited a centralized, controlled France

7. Pro and con list: King Louis XIV
Worked with nobles
Led a successful centralized monarchy
Tax system failed
Had too many wars- drained French money and resources 

8. French society and politics
France was split into several provinces, each with different laws, customs, rules, taxes and customs
13 different courts with different size jurisdictions – uneven coverage of the 36 provinces

10. Rural France vs. Urban France
Peasants made up about 80% of the population, lived in villages or on farms (rural).
Predominantly agricultural nation, which was heavily taxed -> led to perpetually poor, hungry population
Remaining 20% lived in cities (urban). High death rates.

11. Social classes First estate Clergy; around 130,000 people
Owned 1/10th of the land
Collected 1/10th of everyone’s income
Did not have to pay taxes
Clergy came from noble families

12. Social classes Second estate Nobility; around 120,000 people
You were born into nobility or earned it through government offices
Did not work, had tax exemptions

13. Social classes Third estate
Peasants and bourgeoisie; 99% of the population
Majority were poverty-stricken peasants
Around 2 million were part of the middle class – called bourgeoisie (pronounced boar-schwa-zee)
Bourgeoisie led a comfortable, non-extravagant life
Third estate paid the taxes

14. Political Cartoon
Take a few minutes to write down what you think is happening in this picture.

15. Exit Card – hand in before you leave
How did silver mining in Latin America lead to economic problems in Europe?
What are two main differences between the third estate and the first/second estates?