The Old Regime

The Old Regime

Political, social and economic system.
1. Many parts of Europe
2. 18th Century
3. Based on states
4. Had an absolute monarchy.
Society of States
1. 2 main characteristics
  1. Nobility and clergy had privileges and advantages.
  2. A person's state was determined at birth.
2. 3 main states
  1. Clergy
    1. High Clergy
    2. Low Clergy
  2. Nobility
    1. High Nobility
    2. Low Nobility
  3. Commoners
    1. Bourgeoisie
    2. Peasantry
Activities
1. Main
  1. Crop agriculture
  2. Livestock farming
2. Artisanal activity
3. Trade
  1. Triangular trade
Systems of Government
1. Absolutism
  1. Monarchs held the 3 powers
2. English Parliamentarism
  1. 17th century: Absolute Monarchy
    1. Parliament opposed, led to English Civil War (1642-1651)
      1. Parliament won and monarchy restored in 1660
        New attempts for an absolute monarchy led to Glorious Revolution (1688). King James II deposed.
        Parliamentary Monarchy implemented
3. Dutch Republic
  1. Independence of the 7 provinces of northern Netherlands officially recognised by Spain (1648)
The Enlightenment
1. Intellectual movement, spread across Europe and America.
  1. According to it...
    1. Reason should be applied to all areas of life.
    2. Natural rights belonged to all human beings, and the state couldn't supress them.
    3. Knowledge wa sthe key to happiness, and it could be achieved if reason was used.
    4. Tolerance was the basis of coexistence.
  2. Many of its ideas changed the foundations of the Old Regime.
2. Englightenment Thinkers.
  1. John Locke
    1. Highly influential ideas
    2. Thought the state was a result of a social contract between the government and the people.
  2. Montesquieu
    1. Defended separation of powers.
    2. Majors works: The Spirit of Laws
  3. Voltaire
    1. Defended a strong monarchy that respected civil rights.
    2. Believed in freedom and expression; hated fanatism and intolerance.
    3. Major works: Candide, Teatrise on Tolerance.
  4. Rousseau
    1. Defended freedom and equality.
    2. Thought society corrupts human beings, who are naturally good.
    3. Major works: Émile, The social contract.

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	Created by Paula Camacho over 8 years ago