Challenges to the French System French Revolution Lecture 2 Lesson Overview: We will be looking at the following challenges experienced by the Ancien Regime. Social Structure Political Challenge Financial Crisis Social Challenges Prior to the revolution, France was dealing with a traditional social structure based up the 3 estates. The breakdown of society (which will be explained) was a source of criticism from the new emerging class of thinkers questioning the existing social order. Crown First Estate Second Estate Third Estate The breakdown of society was based upon 3 classes, with the King ruling based on the divine right. The Crown and the Ancien Regime The King ruled in Absolute Power; which meant that whatever he wished became law. This rule was based upon the Divine Right of Kings: the right to rule was conferred by God, meaning the King was associated with the will of God and he is supreme. The First Estate The first estate consisted of the Clergy (the most powerful Cardinals and bishops to the poorest priests). The top of the first estate were the wealthier clergymen who controlled most of the churches wealth. The Catholic Church controlled 1/10th of the land in France and made most of its money via taxation. (Called Tithes) Members of the first estate also occupied high ranking political positions. The Second Estate Consisted of about 300,000 to 400,000 French people who were regarded as Nobles. Nobility of the Sword: people who became nobles through their military service to the King. Nobility of the Robe: people who became nobles by working in the administrative service of the King. Although not based on military involvement this was the group who grew the most in the second estate. The privileges of the second estate. Members of the second estate were exempt from paying high taxes to the king. Monopolized high office positions in gov't, military and church. Controlled provincial assemblies (parliaments). Rural 2nd estate controlled most agricultural life, and made money by charging taxes to the poor 3rd estate members who lived in the countryside. They could even imprison members of the 3rd Estate The Third Estate Made up 98% of France's total population Included all jobs from rural peasants, to bankers, lawyers and bureaucrats. This estate faced the main tax burden: tithe, capitation tax, property tax, vigntieme tax, banalites tax, as well as tax on goods (like salt). They also had compulsory military service. Also included intellects and people who were becoming increasingly upset with the social system..... The Realities of the Social Structure by 1780s The first estate was actually divided into Upper Clergy and Lower Clergy. The higher officers did not really participate in church and just used their position for financial gain. The lower officers enjoyed very few privileges -- their influence had been diminished by growing secularization. The lower clergy grew very uneasy with the abuses of power by the upper clergy but could not do much about it. The Second Estate Because boundaries between Estates were permeable; one way into nobility was to buy your way in. The wealthiest members of the 3rd estate could purchase venal offices: administrative positions within the french government. You could also as the Crown to convert the office of an aspiring noble to an official noble by sending money to the crown. Letters Patent: documents signed by the King that conferred exclusive rights to those who distinguished themselves in service to France. These people included engineers, writers, artists and scientists Essentially, the traditions of the second estate were replaced if you were willing to buy your way into the society. The Third Estate This estate consisted of multiple sub categories: The bourgeoisie was the upper class in the 3rd Estate. They became wealthy because of the rapidly expanding commercial markets. Families purchased large country estates and lived luxurious lifestyles. (some eventually purchased their way to the 2nd estate). On the other hand, most of the 3rd estate was made of of poor peasants. (1/3rd of the entire country's population) The issues the peasants faced coupled with the influence of the Bourgeoisie would combine to create the muscle for the French Revolution. Political Challenges King Louis XVI (16th) Although Louis the XVI was the absolute ruler, he depended on a system of courts to make sure his laws were enforced across France. (the courts were called Parlements) When Lo. XVI began to lose legitimacy, these parlements turned against his wishes and acted in the interests of the people. Essentially, they were in constant conflict with the Crown as they felt that Lo. XVI was not suited to rule France. (It was an attempt to take some of his power. These Parlements would play a huge role in the financial crisis prior to the Revolution. Financial Crisis Activity.