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Questions and Answers
What was life like in eighteenth century France?
What was life like in eighteenth century France?
It was very different from life today.
What was the system of rule in France before 1789 called?
What was the system of rule in France before 1789 called?
Old Regime
Who became King of France in May 1774?
Who became King of France in May 1774?
Louis XVI
Which social class was considered the wealthiest and most powerful group in France?
Which social class was considered the wealthiest and most powerful group in France?
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How many inhabitants did France have around the time Louis XVI became king?
How many inhabitants did France have around the time Louis XVI became king?
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The word 'peasant' is derived from the Old French word 'paisent', meaning 'someone who lives in the ______'.
The word 'peasant' is derived from the Old French word 'paisent', meaning 'someone who lives in the ______'.
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What did many in France begin to question during the late eighteenth century?
What did many in France begin to question during the late eighteenth century?
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Approximately how many nobles existed in France at the time?
Approximately how many nobles existed in France at the time?
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Study Notes
Life in Eighteenth Century France
- Life in France during the eighteenth century was markedly different from contemporary life.
- Understanding the social and political conditions is crucial to grasping the causes of the French Revolution.
Old Regime
- The Old Regime refers to France's pre-revolutionary system of governance before 1789.
- King Louis XV exemplified absolute monarchy, asserting that sovereign power and authority resided solely with him.
King Louis XVI and Succession
- Louis XVI ascended to the throne in May 1774 at the age of nineteen.
- He succeeded his grandfather, who died from smallpox, and his father, who died when Louis was eleven.
- His royal lineage comes from the Bourbon family, which had ruled since 1589.
French Society Structure
- France's population was approximately 26 million, excluding overseas colonies, with a complex social structure.
- The nobility, numbering around 300,000, was the wealthiest and most powerful class.
- Beneath the nobility were the bourgeoisie, consisting of around 3 million professionals, including merchants and legal officials.
- The largest social group was the peasants, exceeding 20 million people, derived from the Old French word "paisent," meaning "country dwellers."
Political Context
- Political power in France was concentrated in the monarchy, with King Louis XVI viewing his authority as absolute.
- The society was characterized by rigid hierarchies and distinct social classes.
- Emerging Enlightenment ideas began to challenge the absolute power of the king, signaling a shift in the societal beliefs of the late 18th century.
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Description
Explore the complexities of life in France during the Old Regime of the eighteenth century. This quiz tests your understanding of the social, political, and economic factors that shaped the period leading up to the French Revolution. Discover the realities faced by the populace and the dynamics of sovereign power in this era.
