TEMA 2
The Ancient Regime in crisis
It became the principal economic, social, and political system in Europe in the 18th century. Was absolute monarchy. Society was based on the privileges of a minority, most be rural peasants. the 18th was a time of transition because demographic and economic forces were set in motion. The development of manufacturing and commercial activities had generated new sources of wealth, which benefitted the emerging bourgeoisie.
An agrarian and manorial economy The economy of the AR was mainly rural. Land was entailed, was concentrated in the hands of the nobility and the Church. Manorialism, replaced feudalism, remained powerful in the countryside. The lords received manorial rents and taxes paid by the peasants and had the power to issue orders and impart justice within their farms. Peasants pay 10% of harvest to Church. Agriculture used traditional methods. Most people practised subsistence farming. Although agriculture was the predominant activity, the bourgeoisie developed artisan and manufacturing.
Society based on privileges Society was divided by traditional law into three estates: the clergy, the nobility, and ordinary people (peasants, the urban working and the bourgeoisie). The nobility and clergy had rights and privileges, controlled the army, and no pay taxes.
A monarchy by divine right The predominant form of government in Europe was absolute monarchy. The king’s authority came from God. King Louis XIV of France, known as the Sun King, was the perfect example. he issued laws, appointed judges and ministers, administered justice, commanded the army, and directed foreign policy. He was not subjected to any control and did not share his authority with anyone. However, the king’s power was limited by divine law and the fundamental laws of the kingdom, which he had to accept at his coronation.
Factors for change. The emerging bourgeoisie The bourgeoisie aspired to participate in government. They criticised the privileges of the nobles and clergy and argued that social recognition should be on individual merit. The peasant opposed the manorial system and the heavy taxes to pay. the workers were increasingly poor because prices faster than wages. Enlightenment thinkers began to challenge the ideological foundations of the AR and propose a new social and political model for society. They wanted to end the dominance of the privileged classes. This was the beginning of the road to the revolutions that would end the AR. They began to challenge the old order.
Population growth This was because of greater agricultural production, general economic growth and fewer major epidemics which resulted in a lower death rate. The growth in Europe’s population led to an increase in demand for goods and services. A number of agricultural improvements led to an increase in agricultural production. The protection of manufacturing stimulated the production, and the liberalisation of trade allowed its overseas expansion form commercial companies. Weak demand due to the poverty of the peasantry. Enlightenment think in land reforms.
The Enlightenment movement An intellectual movement known as the Enlightenment challenged the authority of the AR and proposed a new way of organising society. The bourgeoisie adopted these ideas that brought an end to absolutism.
Enlightenment thinkers. It was a direct criticism of medieval tradition and religious theocentrism. Most of them were deists and rejected the superiority for one religion. They defended the freedom and believed in progress. The philosophes advocated radical changes. They opposed inherit privileges from their ancestors. They supported social mobility and personal merit. They opposed mercantilism. They disapproved state regulations and were for free trade. political changes, proposed the separation of powers; expressed the need for a social contract between the ruler and the individuals. He also defended the idea of voting. The main objectives of Spanish Enlightenment thinkers were economic growth, the reform of society, the improvement of education and the modernisation of culture. Jovellanos criticised the privileges of the AR, condemned the nobility, opposed Church, and justified land reform. reforms would lead to better land distribution and an increase in production, trade, and wealth. They defended the need for liberalise the ownership of land. They also wanted to eliminate the Mesta.
Enlightened despotism European monarchs were influenced by the Enlightenment, and some tried to introduce its ideas about progress without having to give up their absolute power. They promoted the rationalisation of administration, education and economy reforms. They developed agriculture and industry, facilitated free trade, and promoted manufacturing and trading companies. The idea of enlightened despotism is summarised in the phrase: All for the people, nothing by the people, what means act in favour of the people but keep absolute power intact.
The Bourbon Monarchy in Spain The appointment of Philip of Bourbon as his heir resulted in the War of the Spanish succession because the Austrian branch of the Habsburg reclaimed the Spanish throne as well. Philip V’s supporters won the war therefore a new dynasty was established in Spain, the Bourbon one. Before the end of the war, in 1711 Charles inherited the Holy Roman Empire, and lost interest in be king of Spain. his European allies saw the need to prevent the possible union of Spain and Austria under one monarch. The conflict ended with the Treaty of Utrecht (1713) which recognised Philip V as king of Spain. new laws were passed to unify the crowns of Aragon and Castile.
Enlightened despotism in Spain The reigns of Philip V and Ferdinand VI were characterised by the centralisation of the state. However, Charles III was influenced by enlightened despotism. He ruled as an absolutist king but chose some Enlightenment thinkers to be his advisors. Some of the major reforms by Charles III were the regulation of professions; limiting the Mesta; free movement of goods; free trade with Americas. However, the events of the French Revolution frightened Charles IV, who put stop to all these reforms.