The French Revolution and Enlightenment: Origins and Impact

The Old Regime: Foundations of Pre-Revolutionary Society

The Old Regime, which preceded the French Revolution, was characterized by an agrarian economy, an absolute monarchy, and a rigid estate-based social structure.

Social Classes

• Privileged: The absolute monarch, the clergy, and the nobility.
• Non-privileged: The bourgeoisie and the peasantry.

The Enlightenment: Intellectual Challenges

The Enlightenment was an intellectual movement that challenged the principles of the Old Regime, advocating for reason, happiness, and tolerance.

Proposed Alternatives

• Social: Defended principles of liberty and equality, supporting social mobility based on merit and intelligence.
• Economic: Promoted physiocracy, which posited that agriculture was the primary source of a nation's wealth.
• Political: Advocated for liberalism as an alternative to absolutism.

Separation of Powers

• Executive: Enforces laws and appoints ministers.
• Legislative: Creates laws and prepares the state budget.
• Judicial: Interprets and enforces the laws.

Parliamentary Structure

The British system featured two houses: the House of Lords, composed of great nobles and bishops, and the House of Commons, consisting of deputies from towns and villages.

English Revolutions

The first revolution resulted in the execution of Charles I and the proclamation of a republic. The second revolution offered the crown to William of Orange, who signed the Bill of Rights, which limited monarchical power and subjected royal decisions to parliamentary oversight.

Enlightened Despotism and Reform

Enlightenment ideas inspired various reform efforts, including:

• Streamlining state administration.
• Educational reform and agricultural modernization.
• Manufacturing growth and the partial liberalization of trade.

Independence of the American Colonies

The colonies resisted excessive taxation and commercial monopolies. The American struggle for independence emphasized the right to liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the duty of governors to respect the rights of the people.

The War of the Spanish Succession

Following the proclamation of Philip V as King in 1700, a conflict erupted involving Great Britain, Holland, Portugal, and the Austrian Empire. The war concluded when Archduke Charles ascended to the Austrian throne, leading to the recognition of Philip V and the signing of the Treaty of Utrecht.