1. Social Structure In FranceSocial Structure In France
Before the Revolution:Before the Revolution:
The Ancien RegimeThe Ancien Regime
(The Old Regime)

2. Three Pillars of the Old Regime
Absolute MonarchyAbsolute Monarchy
MercantilismMercantilism
(economic system)(economic system)
Rigid SocialRigid Social
HierarchyHierarchy

3. First Estate: The ClergyFirst Estate: The Clergy
100 000 people (0.5% of the100 000 people (0.5% of the
population)population)
o The church was extremely wealthy
and owned a huge amounts of land
all over France (10%)
o Collected 10% of peoples income as
tithe
o Did not have to fight in the army or
participate in mandatory construction
work
o Local clergy sympathized with the
needs of the Third Estate

4. The Second Estate: The NobilityThe Second Estate: The Nobility
390 000 people (1.5% of the390 000 people (1.5% of the
population)population)
o Nobles could hunt anywhere
o Did not have to pay all taxes but one
type
o Did not have to fight in the army
o Did not have to participate in
mandatory construction work
o The king would often create jobs for
them
o The highest ranking nobles could live
in Versailles

5. The Third Estate: Everyone elseThe Third Estate: Everyone else
27 000 000 people (over 98% of27 000 000 people (over 98% of
the population)the population)
o During feudalism almost all of
the Third Estate were peasant
farmers called serfs
o During absolutism the Third
Estate split into three groups
o The Bourgeoisie
o Urban workers
o Peasants

6. The BourgeoisieThe Bourgeoisie
o Bourg = City or Town (City
Dwellers)
o Bankers, shop owners, lawyers,
artists, tax collectors
o Often bought noble status

7. Urban Workers
o Brick layers, wood workers, stone
masons, black smiths, and all
types of construction
o Often unemployed during times
of economic depression
o Caused riots during times of
famine

8. Peasants
o Most of the Third Estate were
peasants
o Lived on farms outside of cities
and towns
o They were not involved in riots or
the revolution for the most part
o A small few were able to
purchase land and earn money

9. France Before the RevolutionFrance Before the Revolution
Modern CanadaModern Canada
••DemocracyDemocracy
••Elected by parliamentElected by parliament
••Able to pass laws byAble to pass laws by
majority votemajority vote
••Has consent of theHas consent of the
people throughpeople through
electionselections
••Elected prime ministerElected prime minister
••Voted by parliamentVoted by parliament
BASIC THEORYBASIC THEORY
OFOF
GOVERNMENTGOVERNMENT
POWER OFPOWER OF
GOVERNMENTGOVERNMENT
LEADERLEADER
Pre-Rev FrancePre-Rev France
••Absolute rulerAbsolute ruler
••No elected officialsNo elected officials
••King has absolute powerKing has absolute power
to make most lawsto make most laws
••People not consultedPeople not consulted
••King’s power due toKing’s power due to
“Divine right”“Divine right”

10. France Before the RevolutionFrance Before the Revolution
Modern CanadaModern Canada
••Tax money spent onlyTax money spent only
by elected officialsby elected officials
••Full freedoms andFull freedoms and
liberties guaranteedliberties guaranteed
••Collected from allCollected from all
people in a fair,people in a fair,
efficient mannerefficient manner
••Lower tax rate forLower tax rate for
those who have thethose who have the
least moneyleast money
GOVERNMENTGOVERNMENT
SPENDINGSPENDING
LEGAL RIGHTSLEGAL RIGHTS
TAX SYSTEMTAX SYSTEM
Pre-Rev FrancePre-Rev France
••King spent money as heKing spent money as he
pleased (Except forpleased (Except for
Parlements)Parlements)
••No guarantee for ThirdNo guarantee for Third
Estate – vast majority ofEstate – vast majority of
the peoplethe people
••Corrupt system of taxCorrupt system of tax
collectioncollection
••Poor have heaviestPoor have heaviest
burdenburden