1.ANCIENT R1GIME 2 THE ENLIGHTENMENT

Apuntes

1.ANCIENT RÉGIME & THE ENLIGHTENMENT 1.1 What was the ancient régime? It was the political situation in place prior to the french revolution Its was based in: - absolutist political system - agrarian economy - stratified society - big influence of religion 1.2 What was the Enlightenment It was the movement that developed in france during the 18th century The principal ideas were: - confidence in reason - faith in human progress - criticism of the ancien régime 1.3 The spread of the enlightened thinking Enlightenment ideas spread across Europe and America through 3 channels: - the salons - new communication medias: magazines, newspapers - Encyclopédie: a book composed by 28 volumes, written by Diderot and d´Alembert between 1751 and 1772 2. POLITICAL CHANGES 2.1 Criticism of absolute monarchies In the Ancien Régime, absolute monarchies were prevalent in Europe; the power of the king was considered to be a divine right that came from God. He also ran the economy and controlled the army. Parliamentary political systems, where the power of the king was limited by a Parliament. England is the most significant example. In the 18th century, some Enlightenment intellectuals criticised abso...