France In Revolution 1776-1830
Ancien Regime
Organisation of government and society
Monarchy:
Head of social hierarchy
Provided law and order, had ministers to aid him
36 intendants (royal agents responsible for admin in different sections of
France
Decisions were final, absolute ruler
Believed to be the representative of God
Laws he passed needed to be approved by Parlements (13 of them, most
important was Paris. Supreme court in legal cases. Ability to royal edicts
before they became law)
First estate:
The clergy (monks, nuns, priests)
Issues with the clergy:
1. Plurality & Absenteeism
Archbishops earned 400,000 livres per annum
Where as parish priests earned 700
Some bishops served more than 1 area to make money
Putting money before spiritual needs
2. Tithes
Largest single land owner in France
Wealth came from people paying tithes for it (payment was 1/10
of someone’s income, usually in crops)
Created 50million livres each year
Was meant to spent on church however usually pocketed by the
priests
3. Tax exemption
Didn’t pay any tax, instead paid don gratuit yearly to the king
(under 5% of churches income)
4. Power over the people
Very religious country
Church had considerable influence
Church censored anything negative about them
Acted as ministry of info for the government
Second estate:
The nobles (most power, held top jobs)
Could buy yourself in
Held between 1/3 & ¼ of the land
1. Privileges
Tried in special courts
Exempt from military service
Exempt from paying tax
Ancien Regime
Organisation of government and society
Monarchy:
Head of social hierarchy
Provided law and order, had ministers to aid him
36 intendants (royal agents responsible for admin in different sections of
France
Decisions were final, absolute ruler
Believed to be the representative of God
Laws he passed needed to be approved by Parlements (13 of them, most
important was Paris. Supreme court in legal cases. Ability to royal edicts
before they became law)
First estate:
The clergy (monks, nuns, priests)
Issues with the clergy:
1. Plurality & Absenteeism
Archbishops earned 400,000 livres per annum
Where as parish priests earned 700
Some bishops served more than 1 area to make money
Putting money before spiritual needs
2. Tithes
Largest single land owner in France
Wealth came from people paying tithes for it (payment was 1/10
of someone’s income, usually in crops)
Created 50million livres each year
Was meant to spent on church however usually pocketed by the
priests
3. Tax exemption
Didn’t pay any tax, instead paid don gratuit yearly to the king
(under 5% of churches income)
4. Power over the people
Very religious country
Church had considerable influence
Church censored anything negative about them
Acted as ministry of info for the government
Second estate:
The nobles (most power, held top jobs)
Could buy yourself in
Held between 1/3 & ¼ of the land
1. Privileges
Tried in special courts
Exempt from military service
Exempt from paying tax
