1. The ANCIEN RÉGIME

1. The ANCIEN RÉGIME

1. Political, social and economical system which existed in most of Europe during the 18th century.

2. Renaissance - French Revolution (1789)

3. Term first used by French Revolutionaries = period that had to end.

4. Countries ruled by absolutism: monarch -> absolute control.

5. CHARACTERISTICS

   • 1. Absolute monarchy: monarch - 3 powers
     • Judicial
     • Executive
     • Legislative
   • 2. Feudal society
   • 3. A stagnant population due to:
     • a) High birth and death rate due to:
       • Poor hygiene
       • Arcaic medical techniques
     • b) Periodic demographic crisis due to:
       • Famines
       • Epidemics
       • Wars
       • Illnesses
   • 4. Agricultural economic system
     • Agriculture - first economic resource
       • 80% of the workforce
       • Set of rights lord - peasants
         • PEASANTS
           • 1. Gave a portion of the harvest
           • 2. Paid taxes
           • 3. Worked on the land
         • LORD
           • 1. Farmland
           • 2. Housing
           • 3. Prodection
     • Industry
       • Guilds: medieval assosiations of specialized workers
       • Domestic system
     • Trade
       • Luxury: colonies
       • Poor inside the realms
       • Lack, slow and expensive ways of transport

6. DIVINE RIGHT THEORY

   • King = God's wish, agent of God
   • The king acted for the benefit of the people
   • Anyone was superior than him. Attempt to depose the king = sacrilegious act.

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