French Revolution Old Regime
The preliminary stage of any revolutionary cycle is characterized by a rigid, unresponsive political structure referred to as the old regime. The government apparatus of such a regime is generally faced with financial difficulties and limitations, while a socio-economic class within society has reasons to be optimistic about the future. The political structure of the old regime does not provide opportunity for growth and may hinder the operations of this particular segment of society. Even if economic benefits accrue for this group, social and political power is not granted by members of the established elite ruling class. The Old regime loses the allegiance of the intellectuals and pressure groups arise hostile to the status quo. The intellectuals of the pre-revolutionary society are unified against the Old regime and envision a better society in the future. At a time when the ruling class must prove its legitimacy and effectiveness, it is often divided, on shaky economic ground. In sum, it fails to act as it should to preserve its power. Its inability to rule effectively generally becomes evident during a series of particular events or crises. The lack of mobility to positions of power in the society heightens class ten
The causes of the French Revolution reach back into the aristocratic structure of society in the Old Regime. Eighteenth century French Society was divided into three orders, also called Estates, known as the Estates General. The clergy constituted the First Estate, the nobility the Second Estate, and everyone else (about 95 % of the French Population) made up the Third Estate. The clergy and nobility, totaling about 400,000 out of a population of 26 million enjoyed special privileges. And when meetings of the Estates General were called each estate was unjustly given one vote, despite the fact that the Third Estate was the vast majority of the population. The semifeudal social structure of the Old Regime, based on inequalities sanctioned by law, produced the tensions that precipitated the Revolution. On top of this disparity for the majority of the French population, France had an inefficient Administration and financial disorder. The administration of France was complex, confusing, and ineffective. Financial disorders also contributed to the weakness of the Old Regime. In the last years of the Old Regime the government could not raise sufficient funds to cover expenses. By 1787, it still had not paid the enormous debt incurred during the wars of Louis XIV, let alone the costs of succeeding wars during the eighteenth century, particularly France's aid to the colonists in the American Revolution. The king's gifts and pensions to court nobles and the extravagant court life further drained the treasury. Finances were in shambles not bec
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Approximate Word count = 1048
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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