Change and Continuity in Ancien Regime France (1715-1789)

Political Changes and Continuity

Bourbon Monarchy: Throughout the Ancien Regime, the monarchy continued to exert absolute power, under kings Louis XV (1715-1774) and Louis XVI (1774-1789). However, their reigns saw increasing discontentment and crisis.
Enlightenment Thought: The Enlightenment significantly impacted French society, promoting ideas of liberty, equality, and reason. While the monarchy retained formal power, the Enlightenment provided the ideological foundation for the later revolution.
Divisions within the Estates-General: The age-old divisions between the First, Second, and Third Estates continued, with inequities persisting, and the latter estate’s influence growing. The Estates-General was convoked in 1789.

Economic Changes and Continuity

Feudalism: Life for the peasantry under the feudal system remained largely unchanged, with serfdom, tithes, and seigneurial dues continuing. Over time though, the economic burden of these systems caused mounting discontent.
Financial Crisis: A consistent strain throughout the Ancien Regime was the royal government’s financial crisis, heightened by expenditure on corruption, wars and the court. This was a major factor leading to the 1789 Revolution.

Social Changes and Continuity

Absolutism and Social Structures: The class structure was marked by persistent inequities with the nobility and clergy (First and Second Estates) enjoying privileges while the Third Estate bore the economic brunt.
Urbanisation and Population Growth: Significant population growth in cities led to increasing poverty and social discontent. The burgeoning bourgeoisie began to question their lack of political power.

Cultural Continuity and Changes

Culture of Absolutism versus Enlightenment: While the king maintained a culture of absolutism, Enlightenment ideas were increasingly gaining traction in writings, salons, and cafes, affecting attitudes towards monarchy, religion, and society.
Religion: Catholicism was fervently protected by the state, though the Enlightenment led to a growth in deism and religious criticism. The Church’s land wealth and tax exemptions became politically contentious.