1. The Ancien Régime
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The Ancien Régime is a period that covers the 17th and 18th centuries. During this period, a series of political, economic and social transformations took place. These changes brought about the start of the Modern Age.
During the Ancien Régime, key aspects of the feudal system were modified by political, economic and social changes.
European monarchs became more powerful . They forced the feudal lords to accept their authority and exerted their power over all three estates of the realm. As a result, absolute monarchy was established.
New forms of skilled craftsmanship and increased trade created a more open economy, compared to the closed economy that had characterised feudalism.
The bourgeoisie became wealthier and more powerful, due to their control of craft production and trade.
Humanism developed. It was a new way of thinking that replaced the conservative religious thought of the Middle Ages. It placed human beings, rather than God, at the centre of the Universe.
Advances in science and philosophy began to overcome the desire to keep knowledge secret that had characterised the Middle Ages.
New artistic styles emerged. These were distinct from the type of art that was promoted exclusively by the Catholic Church.
1.1. The politics of the Ancien Régime
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Louis XIV of France (Hyacinthe Rigaud, 1701)
In the 17th century, absolute monarchy came to predominate in Western Europe. It was called absolute' because the crown had unlimited authority, which was believed to come from God.
The model for absolute monarchy was Louis XIV of France (1643–1715). He exerted his authority in various ways: he did not call the Estates General , so that it would not be able to limit his power. He also controlled the government and intervened in the economy, introducing protectionist measures.
In contrast, Spain's power began to decline during the 17th-century reigns of the Lesser Hapsburgs (Felipe III, Felipe IV and Carlos II). The main cause of this decline was Spain's defeat in the Thirty Years' War, which led to significant territorial losses, including that of the United Provinces.
Video 1. Absolute monarchies
Weblink 2. Louis XIV by Rigaud
Parliamentary monarchy in England
In England, Charles I faced opposition from Parliament when he tried to rule as an absolute monarch. This led to a civil war between the supporters of the king (Royalists) and the supporters of Parliament (Parliamentarians).
Charles I was defeated and executed, and in 1649 a republic was established under the control of Parliamentarian commander Oliver Cromwell. After Cromwell's death, the absolute monarchy was re-established under Charles II , who was followed by James II.
In 1688 tensions between Parliament and James II led to the Glorious Revolution . Parliament offered the throne to William of Orange . He swore to uphold the Bill of Rights , a document written by Parliament which became the precedent for similar documents in other countries.
This led to the establishment of a parliamentary monarchy , in which the monarch's powers were limited by Parliament. In 1707, the parliaments of England and Scotland signed a series of agreements which unified the two countries. Together they became known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain .
Parliament was divided into two chambers, based on social differences between their members. The upper chamber, called the House of Lords , represented the nobility and clergy. The lower chamber, called the House of Commons , represented the rest of the population, but its members were wealthy men, such as bankers and merchants.
Weblink 3. Oliver Cromwell