Ancien Régime Worksheets
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Summary
- Political Structure of the Ancien Régime
- Social Structure of the Ancien Régime
- Foreign Relations
- End of the Ancien Régime
Key Facts And Information
Let’s know more about the Ancien Régime!
The Ancien Régime was a political and social system that prevailed in France before the French Revolution. The term first appeared in print in 1794, two years after the establishment of the First French Republic. The two major dynasties of the Old Regime included the houses of Valois and Bourbon. The Old Regime was overturned by the French Revolution, the execution of King Louis XVI and the declaration of a republic.
18th-century map of France
Political Structure of the Ancien Régime
- Before the French Revolution, France was ruled by a hereditary monarchy under the Capetian, Valois and Bourbon dynasties. The king held absolute power based on their belief in the divine right of kings. However, the ruling monarch also used his counsel’s advice.
- The Ancien Régime lasted between the 15th and 18th centuries under the late Valois and Bourbon kings.
- During the reigns of Charles VIII (r. 1483–1498) and Louis XII (r. 1498—1515), the King’s Counsel, or Conseil du Rois, comprised 20 members of the nobility. Under Francis I (r. 1515–1547), the number of counsellors increased to about 70, mostly members of the old nobility.
- At the time of the Renaissance, the royal administration was divided into the small and large counsels. The small counsel, sometimes called the ‘secret’ and later ‘high’ counsel, dealt with significant matters of the state, while the large counsel attended to judicial and financial affairs.
- Later, the counsels were divided into more specific governmental councils and state positions, including a First Minister, Chancellor of France and Secretaries of State.
- France was smaller in terms of territory than it is today. In the mid-15th century, several borders were under the rule of the Holy Roman Empire.
- In the provinces, the king was represented by the gouverneur, who was commonly composed of royal officers from the highest nobility. From 12 gouverneurs during the reign of Charles VI (r. 1380–1422), the number increased to 39 by 1779.
Map showing the French territorial expansion from 1552 to 1798
- To reform administration and taxation, généralités were created in 1542 through an edict by Henry II (r. 1547—1559). By 1784, there were 36, divided into pays d’état, pays d’élection and pays d’imposition.
- Pays d’état, or the provinces with provincial estates, were the recently acquired provinces that maintained local autonomy in terms of taxation.
- Pays d’élection, or the longest-held possessions of the French crown, were the king’s royal officials or élus, who had the authority over taxation.
- Pays d’imposition, or the recently acquired land with their own local institution. However, taxation was overseen by the royal intendant.
Social Structure of the Ancien Régime
- Between the medieval and early modern periods, Christian Europe used the estates of the realms for the orders of social hierarchy. During the French Ancien Régime, the three-estate system was composed of the clergy (First Estate), nobility (Second Estate) and the commoners (Third Estate).
- The First Estate, constituting about 0.5% of the population, was comprised of the higher and lower clergy. While members of the upper clergy were mostly from the nobility, the lower clergy included parish priests, monks and nuns.
- Approximately 1.5% of the population, the Second Estate comprised the French nobility, mostly royals (except the monarch). Traditionally categorised into ‘nobility of the sword’ and ‘nobility of the robe’, members of the Second Estate typically held positions in the civil government and royal justice.
- Among their privileges was tax exemption, such as the corvée royale, gabelle and taille.
- Corvée royale, or forced labour on the roads
- Gabelle, or salt tax
- Taille, or direct taxation
- Making up 98% of the French population, the Third Estate included all who were not members of the First and Second Estates, such as wage labourers, bourgeoisie and peasants. Compared to other Estates, the peasantry had to pay high taxes but had very limited rights. Most experienced physical labour and hunger. While crossing the social ladder was not prohibited, it rarely happened. Others climbed the hierarchy for military bravery, religious zeal and intermarriage.
- During the medieval period, France was referred to as the eldest daughter of the church. The Catholic Church and the French monarchy were intertwined. Many localities had monasteries and convents that guided the people’s social and religious lives.
- Before the Edict of Nantes issued by Henry IV (r. 1589–1610), French Protestants, also known as Huguenots (mostly Calvinists), were at war with French Catholics during the French Wars of Religion and St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre.
- One of the main provisions of the Edict of Nantes was the right of Huguenots to practise their faith. They were allowed to hold religious services in specific towns in each province and to establish special courts. Furthermore, the charter also granted Huguenots the same civil rights as Catholics.
- However, during the reign of Louis XIV (r. 1643–1715), the Edict of Fontainebleau revoked the Edict of Nantes in 1685. Huguenots were forced to convert. Schools were closed, professions were banned, penalties were imposed, and people were forced to join the dragonnades. As a result, about 180,000 Protestants fled, mainly in England, Scotland, the Netherlands, Prussia and the American colonies.
Foreign Relations
- Under the Ancien Régime, France engaged in several wars against other European powers.
- In 1672, France and its alliance with England and the Swedish Empire fought with the Dutch Republic and its coalition with the Holy Roman Empire, Spain, Brandenburg-Prussia and Denmark-Norway.
- Despite its loss in 1678, France reached the zenith of its power and influence in Europe. Louis XIV became the most powerful monarch in Europe.
- The conflict between France and the Netherlands led to the anti-French Grand Alliance, which resulted in the Nine Years’ War (1688–1697) and the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1714).
- Considered the first global war, the Nine Years’ War broke out in 1688 between France and the Austrian coalition. The Grand Alliance of Austria, the Holy Roman Empire, the Dutch Republic, Spain, England and Savoy fought France on varied fronts, including continental Europe, Ireland, North America and India.
Equestrian portrait of Louis XIV
- When both factions exhausted their supplies and military, a settlement was negotiated in 1697. Under the Treaty of Ryswick, Louis XIV ceded Loraine and gained on the right bank of the Rhine. He also recognised William as King of England.
- However, another military conflict stemmed from Charles II of Spain’s lack of an heir. The Grand Alliance fought with France again in the War of the Spanish Succession. At the time, Spain held significant territories in Europe and the Americas.
- Despite acquiring huge wealth, mainly silver, Spain’s domestic business and trade remained poor. This impacted Spain’s ability to raise a trained army, produce weapons and improve the navy. Furthermore, Charles II of Spain was childless, which weakened the throne and opened new claimants outside the Habsburgs.
- On his deathbed, Charles II bequeathed the throne to the Bourbon candidate, future Philip V of Spain, grandson of Louis XIV. The coalition of France’s enemies found the expansion alarming. As a result, another war broke out in 1701 and lasted until 1714.
- Led by Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I, the Grand Alliance against France included Prussia, the Dutch Republic, Portugal, Savoy, England and most German states.
- However, the tide of the war changed with the death of Leopold I and his heir, Joseph. With Charles VI of Spain (second son of Charles II and former Archduke Charles), the Treaty of Utrecht was negotiated in 1713.
- Under the treaty, France ceded Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. In Spain, Philip V succeeded the throne and renounced all rights to the French throne.
End of the Ancien Régime
- Also known as the Sun King, Louis XIV’s reign was considered the height of the Ancien Régime. His 72 years and 110 days rule, the longest of any French sovereign, became an emblematic figure during the Age of Absolutism. An adherent of the divine right of kings, Louis XIV, ruled as an absolute monarch. He pacified the French aristocracy, enforced uniformity in religion at the expense of the Huguenots and depleted the treasury with long wars in Europe.
- Before the end of the 18th century, the Ancien Régime was overthrown by the French Revolution. In 1789, Louis XVI’s unpopularity and widespread discontent among the Estates General led to a revolution that not only overthrew the monarchy but also executed its sovereign.
- During the revolution, the Third Estate broke away and declared a National Assembly. Furthermore, a mob stormed the Bastille in Paris, the Assembly abolished feudalism and a declaration of rights was made.
- Before the executions of Louis XVI and his wife, Marie Antoinette, the monarchy was replaced by the French First Republic. A National Convention soon followed, but the domination of the Jacobins led to the Reign of Terror until 1794. The following year, the Convention was replaced by the Directory and, later on, the rise of Napoleon, which ended the Revolutionary period.
Image Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancien_r%C3%A9gime#/media/File:Carte_de_France_dress%C3%A9e_pour_l'usage_du_Roy_Delisle_Guillaume_1721.JPEG
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancien_r%C3%A9gime#/media/File:France_1552_to_1798-en.png
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine_Years%27_War#/media/File:Ren%C3%A9-Antoine_Houasse_-_Retrato_equestre_de_Lu%C3%ADs_XIV,_Rei_de_Fran%C3%A7a.jpg
Frequently Asked Questions About The Ancien Régime
- What was the Ancien Régime?
The Ancien Régime, meaning "old regime," refers to France's political and social system before the French Revolution of 1789.
- When was the Ancien Régime abolished?
The Ancien Régime was effectively abolished during the French Revolution in 1789. The feudal system was dismantled by 1790, and King Louis XVI's execution in 1793 marked the formal end of the monarchy.
- How was French society structured under the Ancien Régime?
French society was divided into three estates: First Estate: The Clergy, including bishops, abbots, and parish priests, who held significant power and wealth. Second Estate: The Nobility, comprising individuals with hereditary titles who enjoyed numerous privileges, including tax exemptions. Third Estate: The Commoners, which included peasants, artisans, and the burgeoning middle class (bourgeoisie). This estate bore the brunt of taxation and had the least privileges.