The Old Regime and the Enlightenment

1. The Old Regime and the
Enlightenment

2. Can you recognize this building?

3. This is the Palace of Versailles. It is in
France, near Paris

4. Versailles is the symbol of the
extraordinary power of a king. This
king was an absolute monarch.

5. His name was Louis XIV (1643-1715). You
have probably heard about him before.
I am an
absolute
monarch
because I
have ALL the
power

6. Absolute monarchs like Louis thought
they had received their power from
God.
This angel represents
God transmitting
power to king Louis
Nobody can
deny my power
because God
wanted me to
have it!

7. Absolute monarchs held the legislative,
executive and judicial powers
Legislative power: the power to pass laws.
Executive power: the power to make political
decisions.
Judicial power: justice.

8. The king´s power was not limited by a Parliament.
Yes, there was a Parliament, but it was not elected
democratically, and it did not control the king.

9. Louis XIV was the perfect example of
absolute monarch.
I am the
State!

10. This political system was called Ancien
Régime, or Old Regime
These were the characteristics of the Ancien Régime:
1. A King or queen held absolute power.
2. The society was stratified:
- nobility and clergy were the privileged groups.
- the rest (peasants, merchants, etc) were
discriminated. They were called The Third State
3. The economy was based on agriculture.
4. The European countries fought to achieve supremacy
on the Continent so there were plenty of wars

11. The three States in the Old Regime
nobility
clergy
Third state
craftsmen
merchants
peasants
Privileged
groups

12. At the beginning of the 18th century, most
States in Europe were absolute monarchies

13. Only Great Britain, Holland and some
small republics in Italy did not have an
absolute monarch.

14. In Britain, the king´s power was limited by a
Parliament. Great Britain became the greatest
power in Europe in the 18th century

15. Any questions? :-)

16. Let’s move to the
Enlightenment then!

17. The Enlightenment during the 18th
century
We as
intellectuals don´t
agree with the
Old Regime. We
want changes!

18. The Enlightenment was an intellectual movement that
appeared in France. They criticized the Ancient Régime.
These are their main ideas:
We have confidence in
human intelligence.
Science and reason are
the only way to make
us progress and reach
happiness
Voltaire (1694 – 1778)

19. Human beings are
ignorant and
superstitious.
Reason is the light!
(thus Enlightenment)

20. We have faith in
human progress!
Science and
education will
make human
beings progress
and be happy!
Rousseau (1712-1778)
Religion is an
obstacle to
progress!
Religion is
superstition!

21. We don´t think it is fair that only
one king has all the power! We
don´t like absolute monarchs!
We think every human being has
the right to improve in their lives,
so we don´t like that the nobility
and the clergy have any privileges!
Montesquieu (1689-1755)

22. How did their ideas become popular?
Diderot and d´Alambert published the
Encyclopaedia between 1751 and 1772, a huge
collection of all the knowledge of the time.

23. Also, evening gatherings of intellectuals,
scientists and writers took place in the
salons. People discussed their ideas there.

24. Enlightened despotism
- Some European monarchs decided to accept
certain ideas of the Enlightenment.
- These monarchs accepted reforms aimed at
achieving progress, and benefit the people.
But they refused to give up their power.
- They promoted industry and commerce,
science, improved education, built hospitals,
etc.

25. These were the most significant
enlightened monarchs
Charles III (Spain)
Frederick II (Prusia)
Catherine II (Russia)