HST 112 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Tax Exemption, Bourgeoisie, Feudalism
Document Summary
The french revolution was caused by a convergence of both long- and short- term crises, which in 1789 led to a series of revolts: a noble revolt, a bourgeois revolt, a popular urban revolt, and a peasant revolt. The consequences of this perfect revolutionary storm" destroyed the ancien. Regime society of tradition and orders, and opened the way for a society of rights and laws. Increase in class mobility: legal equality, popular sovereignty, ability to choose career path. Generally, france (and europe) had monarchies with absolute power. Rulers are autocratic, have the ability to make and enforce laws, raise taxes, spend money, declare war all without checks and balances (for the most part) Louis xiv (louis the 14th known as the sun king) France: the estate"s general: at this time, the estate"s general hadn"t been called in over 100 years. Parlement: law courts staffed by nobles to establish traditional laws.
