Key Concepts of the Ancient Regime and Enlightenment Era

Historical Vocabulary and Definitions

Key Terms of the 18th Century

Ancient Regime

The political and social system established in Europe during the 16^th and 18^th centuries. It was overthrown in 1789 by the French Revolution.

Holy Alliance

A pact celebrated on the initiative of Alexander I of Russia, between Austria, Russia, and Prussia, signed on September 26, 1815, in Paris, following the Battle of Waterloo.

Treaty of Utrecht

A peace agreement signed in 1713 between England and France to end the War of the Spanish Succession, which began in Europe in 1701. France agreed to compensate the British fur company in North America for losses suffered during the war.

Enlightenment

A cultural movement of philosophers in 17^th and 18^th century Europe. Philosophers proposed to reform society and gain knowledge through the scientific method. They spread new ideas about social equality and civil rights, leading to the eventual collapse of the Ancient Regime.

Political Systems

Absolute Monarchy

A system of government in which the king or queen alone holds all the power in the state. The monarch controls the three branches of the state: legislative, executive, and judicial powers.

Social Structure: Estates of the Realm

The different groups into which society was divided under the Ancient Regime. This was a highly stratified society divided into the privileged and the unprivileged.

The Privileged (5%)

These groups did not pay taxes but received them from the unprivileged.

• First Estate (Nobility)

  Owned most of the land and held public positions.

• Second Estate (Clergy)

  Devoted to religious issues, they managed large areas of land and collected taxes. The clergy was divided into:

  • Higher Clergy: Rich and powerful (e.g., priests, bishops).
  • Lower Clergy: Devoted to religious life (e.g., monasteries, abbeys).

The Unprivileged (95%) - The Third Estate

This group had no political influence and bore the burden of taxation.

• Bourgeoisie

  The rich, educated class.

• Urban Working Classes

  Included poorer craftsmen, servants, soldiers, and manufacturing workers.

• Farmers or Peasants

  The largest group of the population. Their lives were difficult, as they worked the lands for the privileged.

Economic Thinking

Mercantilism

An economic trend prevalent in Europe from the Middle Ages to the end of the 18^th century. Its principles were based on:

• Increasing the power of the state.
• Accumulating precious metals (bullionism).
• Promotion of trade.
• Creation of monopolies and companies.

Main Enlightenment Thinkers

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Wrote The Social Contract. He argued that the government and its subjects enter into an implicit contract to exchange some individual freedom for governance (National Sovereignty). People choose their representatives by voting.

Baron de Montesquieu

Wrote The Spirit of the Laws, expanding upon Locke's political studies. He incorporated the idea of the Separation of Powers (legislative, executive, and judicial) in order to ensure no single branch of a governing body could gain too much authority.

Voltaire

Stated that Parliament was the best institution to limit the power of the king. He defended freedom of religion and expression, and advocated for the separation of church and state.