6.2 Worrisome Wigs in the 18th century

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Chapter 6

6.2 Worrisome wigs in the 18th century

Age of Wigs and Revolution: The symbol of the age of wigs and revolutions. A guillotine, a device popular during the French revolution, used to chop of people's heads, can be seen in front of a depiction of a scientific meeting.

Typical Aspects

• The aspiration of monarchs to gain absolute power (Regents & princes)
• The continued existence of the ancien régime and the attempts made to shape the political and social system towards Enlightened absolutism.
• 'Enlightened thinking' was applied to everything: religion, politics, economy and social relations
• The democratic revolutions in western countries that resulted in discussions about constitutions, fundamental rights and citizenship

6.2.1 

 A queen out of water

L'État, c'est Moi

•  The king's will is the law. This is called absolutism or absolute power.

• Louis XIV was a French king with absolute power.
• This power is given by God: droit divin (divine right)

• His descendents (Louis XV & Louis XVI) are also absolute kings.

Estates of the Realm

• Since the Middle Ages, French society was divided into 3 orders: 'They who pray, They who fight and They who work'

• There could be no doubt about this division: God had decreed it that way.

1st order

• The clergy: the people of the church. They made sure that the people would reach heaven. The high clergy lived in large palaces and mostly had rights (and only a few duties).
  

• The clergy owned a lot of land: they were large landowners

2nd order

• The nobility: They are responisble for governing and defending the land. They lived in large palaces. Theycmostly had rights (and only a few duties).

• Louis XIV didn't trust them.  Therefore they had to live near him. He could keep an eye on them this way. 
  

3rd order

• The peasants and citizens. Basically anyone who didn't belong in the 1st or 2nd order. That is why the differences within the 3rd order were so great. For example, you had the bourgeoisie. This were people with their own company and a diploma. 

• The 3rd order had all of the duties: for example, they did have to pay taxes.

6.2.2

Order inequality

Unrest due to inequality

• The 3rd order (around 80% of the people) were very dissatisfied. They were the only ones not exempt from paying taxes.
• There was great poverty and working conditions were bad.
• The bourgeoisie, in particular, began to speak out against these inequalities.

Bourgeoisie= The rich middle class

What inequalities?

• No say
• Unequal tax division
•  Unequal jurisdiction
• No interest in the trade industry

The bankers, tradesmen doctors, notaries and lawyers are furious that they, have no say in matters of government. This is because they are part of the third order. If they dare say anything they are fined and often locked up.

The bourgeoisie may not have a say in how their country is governed, they do have to pay a great deal of the taxes as opposed to the clergy and the nobility.

The punishment citizens and peasants are given are worse than the punishment for the clergy and the nobility.

The merchants are annoyed that the government has no interest in stimulating and improving the trade industry. The leaders are often noblemen and they could care less about what the merchants have to say.

There was plenty of talk about a different society in coffee houses, societies and salons .....

Homework

Do questions: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6

In pairs

25 minutes