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THE ANCIENT REGIME AND THE ENLIGHTEMENT
The ancient regime
is a period that covers the 17th and 18th centuries. During this period, a series of political, economic and social transformations took place. These changes brought about the start of the Modern Age.
Key aspects of the feudal system were modified by political, economic and social changes
European monarchs became more powerful.
New forms of skilled craftsmanship and increased trade created a more open economy,
The bourgeoisie became wealthier and more powerful
Humanism developed, new way of thinking
Advances in science and philosophy began to overcome the desire to keep knowledge secret
THE POLITICS OF THE ANCIEN RÉGIME
In the 17th century, absolute monarchy came to predominate in Western Europe
The model was Louis XIV of France
He exerted his authority in various ways
He did not call the Estates General, so that it would not be able to limit his power.
He controlled the government and intervened in the economy, introducing protectionist measures.
Spain's power began to decline during the 17th-century reigns of the Lesser Hapsburg.
The main cause was Spain's defeat in the Thirty Years' War.
Parliamentary monarchy in England
Charles I faced opposition from Parliament when he tried to rule as an absolute monarch
led to a civil war between the supporters of the king and the supporters of Parliament
Charles I was defeated and in 1649 a republic was established under the control of Parliamentarian commander Oliver Cromwell
The absolute monarchy was re-established under Charles II, who was followed by James II.
1688 tensions between Parliament and James II led to the Glorious Revolution
William of Orange, was offered the throne. He swore to uphold the Bill of Rights, a document written by Parliament
led the establishment of a parliamentary monarchy, in which the monarch's powers were limited by Parliament
In 1707 England and Scotland unified
they became United Kingdom of Great Britain.
Parliament was divided
The upper chamber, called the House of Lords, represented the nobility and clergy
The lower chamber, called the House of Commons, represented the rest of the population, but its members were wealthy men, such as bankers and merchants
The economy and society of the Ancien Régime
Economy
traditional agriculture
very low productivity
people farmed to meet their own needs and used outdated techniques and tools.
was not commercial
dominance of the guilds
These were associations of craftsmen
working hours, prices, wages and tools
domestic trade
grew very little due to internal customs duties and the poor quality of the roads
foreign trade was expanding due to the discovery of America and the establishment of new sea routes to Asian markets
During the 17th century, Europe's absolute monarchs imposed a new economic system called mercantilism. Mercantilism was based on the idea that a country's wealth depended on how much gold and silver it possessed
In order to accumulate more of these precious metals, monarchs implemented protectionist policies
During the 17th century, there was a serious economic crisis in Spain and in most parts of Europe. This was partly because American markets had stopped buying Spanish products
Spanish craftsmen could not compete with products made in other countries
The estates of the realm continued to be the dominant form of social organisation in Europe
Third Estate, the ordinary people, did not have any privileges
The Third Estate had to pay tax.
bourgeoisie
Prominent merchants and business owners, became richer and more powerful as the European economy developed.
petite bourgeoisie
small merchants and craftsmen, declined because they could not compete with new forms of production.
peasantry and day labourers
suffered during the 17th century because of poor harvests, rising prices and the higher taxes
The nobility and the clergy did not pay taxes
They maintained their economic power by collecting tithes from the peasants and through the income they received from their lands.
