Chapter 15 Cornell Notes Jacqueline Lockwood

Society and Economy Under the Old regime in the

Eighteenth Century November 2010
Aristocracy in the Old Regime Europe, Peasants, Family Life, Agricultural and
Industrial Revolutions, Urban Growth and Social Change
Major Features of Life A. Old Regime
in the Old Regime 1. political, social, and economic power before the French
Revolution
2. The Continent of Europe: meant the rule of absolute
monarchs
a. It was also a time of change
B. maintenance of Tradition
1. 18th century more concern about the past than the future
2. Nobles and Peasants wanted a return to traditional rights
3. Peasants used revolts and petitions to bring back rights 
that allowed them access to particular land and
procedures
C. Hierarchy and Privilege
1. A hierarchical society
a. The medieval sense of rank persisted
The Aristocracy b. Regulation laws for them to follow
c. Each group had certain rights and privileges
II-
A. Who were they?
1. the nobility
2. richest group
3. Most power
B. Varieties of Aristocratic Privilege
1. British nobility
a. Smallest group but the wealthiest
b. Were The House of Lords
c. They owned 1/4 of the land
a. Only the eldest son inherited – the second son
became a parson– other sons went into the
military
d. They had few legal privileges…
a. but did control the local government
2. French nobility
a. The Second Estate
b. division
a. nobles of the sword - from military service
b. nobles of the robe - title they bought or given as
gift
c. A second division – those who held favor and were at
Versailles and those who did not hold favor and not
allowed at Versailles
d. Didn’t have to pay most taxes
e. Nobles could collect dues (taxes) from their tenants
f. Gaming laws- exclusive hunting and fishing rights
3. Eastern European nobility (east of the Elbe River)
a. Poland
- the noblesexempt from taxes
- they possessed the right of life and death over their
serfs
- were relatively poor