ANCIENT R1GIME

Apuntes

• Subtopic: Ancient Régime The Ancient Régime was the political, social, and economic system in Europe from the 16th to the 18th century, preceding the French Revolution. **Characteristics:** 1. **Economy: Farming and Taxes** The economic system was based on mercantilism, where wealth was measured in precious metals. The society was mostly rural, with farmers using old methods to survive. Land ownership was very strict, leading to problems such as primogeniture and absentee landlords. Industry was small and craft-based, with controlled trades, prices, and rules. Spain exported raw materials and imported goods, and factories grew due to colonial trade. 2. **Society: Three Estates** The society was divided into three estates: - Privileged: Nobles and clergy who did not pay taxes and had special rights. - Unprivileged: Craftsmen, merchants, commoners, and the bourgeoisie. 3. **Politics: Absolute Monarchy** The political system was an absolute monarchy, where the king ruled by divine right and held all three powers. 4. **Ideology: Divine Right and Theocentrism** The ideology was based on the divine right, where the king's authority came directly from God, and th...