Questions and Answers
What financial state did Louis XVI inherit upon his accession to the throne?
An empty treasury.
Which estate in French society was responsible for paying taxes?
The third estate.
What was the Old Regime in France?
The society and institutions of France before 1789.
What percentage of the population did peasants make up in the late eighteenth century France?
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What types of taxes did peasants have to pay to the state?
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What financial situation did Louis XVI inherit upon becoming king in 1774?
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How did the French government respond to the increasing debt during Louis XVI's reign?
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Describe the structure of French society in the late eighteenth century.
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What privileges did nobles and clergy enjoy in France's estate system?
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What was the 'Old Regime' in France, and how did it function?
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Study Notes
Louis XVI and Financial Crisis
- Louis XVI ascended the throne of France in 1774 at the age of 20, married to Marie Antoinette.
- Upon his reign, France faced a depleted treasury due to prolonged military engagements.
- Financial strain increased from supporting an extravagant court at the Palace of Versailles.
- France's aid to the American colonies in their fight against Britain added over 1 billion livres to an already high debt exceeding 2 billion livres.
- Lenders escalated interest rates to 10%, compelling the French government to allocate a significant portion of its budget to interest payments.
- The state implemented tax increases to cover regular expenses, including military, court, and administrative costs.
Social Structure: The Three Estates
- French society in the late eighteenth century was divided into three estates, reflecting a feudal system from the Middle Ages.
- Only the third estate, primarily composed of peasants, paid taxes, leading to disproportionate tax burdens.
- The term "Old Regime" refers to the hierarchical society and institutions in France before 1789.
Composition of Estates
- Peasants: Constituted approximately 90% of the population, with few owning the land they worked.
- Nobles: Owned about 60% of France's land, enjoying significant privileges without tax obligations.
- Clergy: Benefited from inherited privileges, including tax exemptions; also collected tithes from peasants.
Obligations and Taxes
- Nobles imposed feudal dues on peasants, who had to perform labor for their lords, serve in the army, or contribute to communal projects like road construction.
- The Church's tax, known as tithes, further burdened the peasant population.
- The third estate faced multiple taxes, including the direct tax called taille and various indirect taxes.
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Description
Explore the historical context of France during the late 1700s, focusing on the reign of Louis XVI. Discover how financial strains and the opulence of Versailles shaped the era leading up to the French Revolution. This quiz covers essential events and figures that characterized this transformative period in French history.
