UNIT 8 - The Ancien Régime and the Enlightenment

Table of contents: 1 - The Ancien Régime

2 - The economy
3 - Demographics and society
4 - The Enlightenment
5 - Spain in the 18th century: the Bourbons
(6 - The Spanish Empire in America)
(7 - Science and art)
1. The Ancien Régime ‘I am the s
Louis XIV tate’
of France (o
called the “ ften
Sun King ”)
the best ex is
Definition: It was the social, economic and political ample of a
n
absolute m
system that was dominant in Europe during the Early onarch.
Modern Age.

1.1. Absolute monarchies

- Held all types of power (legislative, executive,
judicial) by “divine right”.
- Centralised power (bureaucracy) and tax
collection.
- Permanent armies.
1.2. England’s parliamentary monarchy
- At the end of the 17th century, in England, the “Glorious
Revolution” (1688) took place.
- The old absolutist king was deposed and the new king
signed the “Bill of Rights”, agreeing to share power with
parliament.
→ England thus became the first parliamentary monarchy.

The Parliament was divided in the House

of Lords (top) and the House of Commons
(bottom).
2. The economy
2.1. Agriculture
• It was the main activity, with more than the 80% of
the population.
• Low productivity, mostly subsistence farming.
• Peasants had to pay rent to landowners, tax to
monarchs and deliver a tithe to the clergy.
• At the end of the Early M.A., new techniques, tools
and crops were introduced.

2.2. Industry
• Mainly composed of archaic manufactures in
workshops managed by guilds.
• At the end of the Early M.A. new systems like the
“Domestic system” and the Putting-out system
appeared, financed by the bourgeoisie and carried
out by peasant families.
2.3. Trade
• International trade flourished thanks to new sea routes and the colonial expansion, with new
markets in Asia and America.
• A triangular trade was established throughout the Atlantic between America, Africa and
Europe.
3. Demographics and society
3.1. Demographics
- During the 17th century, Europe still had a traditional demographic regime:
High birth rate (7 children on average) + high death rate (hygiene, wars, famines, etc)
→ Low population growth

- In the 18th century, due to the scientific development, it started a demographic transition
towards a modern demographic regime:
Still high birth rate + reduction in death rate
→ Very high population growth
3.2. Estate society
- Society in the Ancien Régime was divided into three estates (rigid social groups), the two first being
politically, legally and fiscally privileged:
- Nobility
- Clergy
- Common People or “Third Estate” (from poor peasants to wealthy and educated bourgeois)
4. The Enlightenment The Encyclopedia by
ot
D’alembert y Dider
4.1. Enlightened thinkers promoted the valu
es of
and a
the Enlightenment
ould be
Definition: Cultural and intellectual movement based on bringing the new society that w
free
light of Reason, that appeared in France during the 18th century. fair, open-minded,
and worldly.
Enlightened thinkers:
• criticised the principles of the Ancien Régime.
• believed in religious, intellectual freedom.
• promoted an economic system based on physiocracy (scientific
agriculture) and economic liberalism.

Montesquieu developed the idea of the Voltaire promoted tolerance Rousseau was in favour of
separation of powers: legislative and parliamentarism. popular sovereignty and
(parliament), constitutions.
executive (monarch) and judicial (judges).
4.2. Enlightened despotism
This was a new political system that appeared in Europe at the
end of the 18th century.
Absolutist monarchs implemented the enlightened ideas and
carried out reformist policies to modernise the country and
improve the welfare of the people.
In Spain, the best example was Carlos III (1759-1788).
Catherine the
Great of Russia

Everything fo
r
the people,
nothing by th
e
people.

Carlos III
of Spain

Joseph II of the Holy

Roman Empire
5. Spain in the 18th century: the Bourbons
All political transformations in Spain during the 18th century happened because there was a new
dynasty: the Bourbons.

5.1. The War of the Spanish Succession (1702-1715)

- After the death of Carlos II (House of Austria), who was childless, Philip of Anjou (House of
Bourbon) and Archduke Charles (House of Austria) fought for the Spanish throne.
- The conflict ended with the signing of the Treaties of Utrecht-Rastatt (1713-1714).
→ Philip won and became Felipe V, first Bourbon king of Spain.

VS

winner!
5.2. The first Bourbons (1715-1778)

- Felipe V (1700-1746 ):
- centralised power through the
Nueva Planta decrees and the
organisation of Spain into provinces.
- In foreign policy, they allied with
France (Pactos de Familia) and
attempted to recover the lands lost
after the Treaties of Utrecht-Rastatt.

- Fernando VI (1746-1759) consolidated the

Bourbon power.
 - Carlos III (1759-1778):
- Embarked on a general project of
modernisation of Spain (and specially
Madrid) through varied reforms.
Carlos III was
called
- In foreign policy, he intervened in the “ The best ma
yor of
Seven Years’ War (1756-1763) and the Madrid”.
American War of Independence.

The Seven Ye
ars’ War (17
important wa 56-1763) was
r of the 18th the most
fought over d century. The
ominance in war was
colonial supre Central Europ
macy in Nort e and
h America an
d India.