Absolutism and the structure of the Ancien Régime: Louis XVI as King; government; social divisions; privileges and burdens; strengths and weaknesses
Before the Revolution, France ran on a system called absolutism — the king held total power and society divided into rigid ranks. Most people paid heavy taxes while the richest paid almost none.
Real World
The Catholic clergy (First Estate) owned roughly 10% of French land and paid no regular taxes, yet collected the tithe from ordinary peasants — the same peasants already burdened by royal taxes, feudal dues, and harvest failures by the 1780s.
Exam Focus
When evaluating 'weaknesses' of the Ancien Régime, prioritise structural contradictions (privilege versus fiscal crisis) over personality-based arguments about Louis XVI.
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
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