The Old Regime

Platform for Revolution

• Enlightenment Ideas

• Unfair Estate System– Old Regime

• Economic Woes of France

• Weak Leadership of Louis XVI

The Old Regime• What: Social structure which remained from the

system of feudalism (Middle Ages)

• People of France were divided into 3-estates– 1st, 2nd & 3rd Estates

The Privileged Estates

• The 1st & 2nd estate were privileged estates

• They paid NO TAXES

• Had access to high office (in King’s Bureaucracy)

1st ESTATE 2nd ESTATE

Clergy Nobles

<1% of Population 2% of Population 97% Population

Owned 20% Land

Did little/no work

Owned 10% of land

Disapproved ofenlightened ideas

3rd Estate

PeasantsWorkersBourgeoisie

Owned some land, but paid high taxes

Did most of work

The Old Regime

3 Estates of France: an Analysis

Reading & Graphic Organizer

Road to Revolution

• The 3rd estate resented the unfair social system of France– would not take much to spark revolution

• Louis XVI was a Weak Leader– Preferred personal interests over government

– Often left work up to advisors.

– Not capable of making tough decisions

Journal #1

Describe how this picture illustrates the social conditions in France inthe 1700’s

Explain why revolution appears inevitable?