Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
Published bySharlene Burns Modified over 9 years ago
1
Society & Economy Under The Old Regime 18 th Century AP Euro Chapter 15
2
Pre-Revolutionary Europe Society Prior to 1789 Is referred to the “Ancien regime”, or “old regime”
3
Features of Old Regime 1. Aristocrats inherited privileges 2. Urban labor force organized into guilds 3.Rural peasantry subject to taxes
4
Visible Social Hierarchy 1. Laws dictate what different classes can wear 2. Your rights depend on your social class 3. Not all have to pay taxes 4. Certain activities restricted to upper class
5
The Aristocracy… 1. Consist of 1% to 5% of the Population in any given Euro. Country 2. Inherit wealth & Land 3. Ruling Class
6
The Aristocracy 4. Set the example of manners & conduct 5. Lead “lives of idleness” 6. Have certain privileges
7
British Nobility 400 elite families Average estate size: a thousand to 50 thousand acres !! Own ¼ of arable (good) farming land
8
British Nobility Oldest son inherits title & Right to sit in House of Lords = Political power
9
British Nobility Younger Sons Must Choose Profession: Commerce, Military Officer, Church Office.
10
Peerage System :Titles of Nobility Amongst Aristocracy The peerage a collective term for people who possess certain titles of honor. The Titles in The Peerage ( In descending order): Duke or Duchess Marquess or Marchioness Earl or Countess Viscount or Viscountess Baron or Lady
11
English Game Laws 1671-1831 Exclusive right of aristocrats to hunt hares, partridges, pheasants, deer etc.
12
I am a Pheasant, not a Peasant
13
British Noble Women "...the greatest challenge faced by females of the leisured classes was how to be leisured..." Upper class women had tutors, learned “womanly activities” and had lots of free time!
14
18 th Century English Trends: Men Noble Men wear “Banyan” “man of the house” outfit An Asian inspired outfit for staying at home
15
Noble Hairstyles 18 th Century By 1780’s younger men wore lightly powdered natural hair 1795 English established tax for hair powder Which caused the demise of the powdered wig/hair
16
18 th Century English Trends: Women Clothes Reflect: “softness, prettiness, delicacy” Colors reflect natural world Decorative elements
17
18 th Century English Trends: Women & Cosmetics Pieces of leather or fabric applied with adhesive on face to hide imperfections Lead face powder Rouge made from plaster of Paris & Carmine
18
Aristocrats In France Different From England Nobility acquired through: 1. Birth- inherited 2. office - awarded 3. “letters”- King’s order
19
French Titles of Nobility Duke Marquis Comte (Earl) Vicomte (viscount) Baron
20
French Aristocratic Families & Prestige how long had a given family been noble (l'ancienneté), into what other families did it marry (les alliances), what positions its members achieved and what offices they held (les dignités), what actions they performed (les illustrations)
21
French Aristocrats 400,000 nobles Divided Into: “Nobles of the sword”-military service “Nobles of the robe”- bureaucracy Second estate
22
French Nobility Hobereaux – provincial nobility Not as wealthy But “nobles” non - the less
23
French Aristocrats Exempt from taxes Rarely had to pay vingtieme income tax in full Hunting & Fishing privileges
24
French Aristocrats Known for extravagance in manner, dress, court culture Remember Versailles?
25
Peasants & Serfs Rural Reality
26
The Importance of Land Economic basis 18 th cent. Europe Foundation of status & power for nobility Source of oppression for peasants
27
Rural Reality 3/4ths of all Europeans live in rural areas Work the land
28
Peasants & Serfs: What’s the Difference? Peasants – are “free” tenants (Western Europe) Serfs- are not free. More like slaves (Eastern Europe)
29
French Peasants Seigneur or Land Lord can: Require labor from peasants Charge feudal dues
30
Russian Serfs Nobles wealth measured by serfs, not land acreage Barshchina- 6 day work week Serfs can be punished Like slaves
31
Russian Serf Rebellions Over 50 in 1762 Pugachev’s Rebellion in Southern Russia (1773-1775 ) Emelyan Pugachev Promises: Emelyan Pugachev Promises: Serfs land of their own Freedom from landlord Russian govt. crushes rebellion
32
The Family Economy & The Household Rural Living Pre-Industrial / Pre- Revolution
33
The Household… Basic unit of production also known as “The Family Economy” 2 models: 1. North Western Europe 2. Eastern Europe
34
1. North Western Household Household consists of the Nuclear Family: Married couple, children, maybe a servant (younger person, a social equal, works until marriage). Children live with parents until teen years
35
1.North Western Household Neocalism- when child moves away from home Men marry at 26 Women marry at 23 Considered “late” marriage
36
2. Eastern Europe Household Household consists of Extended Family: Married couple, children, grandparents etc. Larger households Younger Parents Idea is to “add” to household, not leave
37
Family Economy 1. Impossible for ordinary people to support themselves independently 2. Everyone in household works 3. Goods produced for benefit of household 4. “self contained” unit
38
Those Who Lived By Themselves… seen as suspicious! Potential criminals, or beggars Remember, even servants lived with a family…
39
Women and the Family Economy Marriage regardless of class, an economic necessity! Number 1 concern: maintaining house Number 2 concern : bearing and rearing children
40
Life of Lower Class Women At age 7, girls considered old enough to help around the house Once a girl left home, she had to support family, and save up for her dowry
41
Women & Children High mortality rates for children – disease Unsanitary conditions The poor could not afford babies
42
Foundling Hospitals Paris, London Homes for abandoned children “orphans” Most children illegitimate Parents could not afford them/gave them up
43
Abandoned Children Link between movement of people and an increase in abandoned children Link between rise of food prices and abandoned children
44
The Sad Truth… Only 10 % of abandoned children lived to the age of ten.
45
The Agricultural Revolution Changes in the midst…
46
Developments That Transform European society & economy
47
Agricultural Questions 18 th Century 1. How do you produce surplus crops? 2. How can you bring down the price of crops?
48
Agricultural Revolution Innovations in agriculture led to improvements in agricultural production And Transformed the “traditional” family economy
49
Jethro Tull (1674-1741) English Developed Seed Drill Seed drill Allows seeds to be planted in rows, rather than by casting seeds randomly
50
Charles “Turnip” Townsend (1674-1738) English; Introduced Crop Rotation – wheat, turnips, barley, clover Crop rotation Restores nutrients in soil
51
Robert Bakewell (1725-1795) English; Pioneered new methods of animal breeding Bred stronger animals
52
Enclosure System 1. The fencing off of common lands 2. Commercialized agriculture (no longer a communal ritual)
53
Improvements in agriculture 1. Impacted the food supply in a positive manner 2. Allow landowners to have a “disposable” income – money left over to purchase manufactured goods, or invest in other business opportunities
54
Demographic Changes Europe’s Population Rose 1700 – 100 and 120 million By 1800 – 190 million By 1850 – 260 million Mortality rates declined due to Changes in food supply
55
Industrial Revolution Mid – Late 1700’s From Domestic System to Industrialization
56
Industrialization Second Half of 18 th Century Focus on “Manufactured goods” 1. Led to movement of people 2. Growth of cities 3. Industrialization
57
Industrial Revolution Begins in Great Britain… Why? 1. Economic Center 2. Print Media : Newspapers, Magazines, advertising 3. Good roads & waterways to transport goods 4. Stable banking system 5. Mobile society & Large Population 6. Rich deposits of coal & ore 7. Transformation of Textile Industry
58
“Domestic” System (“Putting Out System) 1. Peasant home #1 would spin thread at home for extra $. 2. Agent would take finished thread to peasant home #2. This family would then weave thread into fabric.
59
Domestic System of Textile Production Was basic feature of family economy until Mid 18 th Century The demand for cotton textiles grew more rapidly than production, So … Investors searched for faster ways to produce fabric & clothing
60
1. Water Power 1700’s Water Wheels power first machines & factories Thus, 1 st factories had to be built by water source
61
2.The Flying Shuttle (1730’s) Invented by: John Kay Allowed weavers to work fast Problem: they outpaced spinners
62
3.The Spinning Jenny (1764) Invented by : James Hargreaves Spun many threads at the same time (16 originally)
63
4. Water Frame (1769) Invented By: Richard Arkwright Used water power to speed up spinning
64
5. The Steam Engine 1. Thomas Newcomen’s original invention 1712 – large, inefficient Used to pump water out of coal mines
65
5. The Steam Engine 2. James Watt’s Modified Version 1769 – revolutionized industry Use of steam engine spread slowly until 1800’s
66
6. Power Loom (1780’s) Invented by: Edmund Cartwright Did not gain importance until 1830’s! By then, more power loom weavers than hand loom weavers
67
Growth of Cities Population Growth between 1500-1800 However, less than 20% of population lived in cities (in France, and in Great Britain)
68
Growth of Capitals & Ports (1600-1750) 1. Growth of Ports – a reflection of expansion of overseas trade 2. Growth of Capitals – a reflection of the success of monarchical state
69
New Cities Emerge, Small Cities Grow (mid 18 th cent) 1. Innovations in agriculture – improved crop production led to growth of market towns 2. Factories Near Water – towns “grew” around factory as People moved.
70
Social Divisions differences between rich & poor Nobles : Attempt to secure & expand privileges. Live “beautiful” lives Poverty: found in both cities, & countryside. Live “filthy” lives. Lower classes have no rights, no chance at social mobility.
71
The Middle Class or “Bourgeoisie” Urban residents Merchants, trades people, bankers, Lawyers, Professionals Grow wealthier and wealthier Want political power and Social Prestige
72
Inequality of the Social Classes Leads us to… The French Revolution 1789-1800 To be continued…
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.