In the early years of New France men vastly outnumbered women in the colony. With a lack of women, many men returned to France, consequently hindering the growth of the Canadienne population. To combat this, Louis XIV sent hundreds of women to New France in hopes supply marriageable women for men. These women are now known as the filles du roi. In Imbalance, Les Filles du Roi, and the Choice of Spouse in New France Yves Landry, the author, exhibits how the marriages of the filles du roi diverged greatly not only from the French counterparts but also the common practice of marriage in the seventeenth century in New France as well.
Unit 2: Absolutism and Revolution Portfolio In this unit, you examined the American and French Revolutions. The American Revolution, sparked by conflict over British rule and influenced by Enlightenment ideas, broke colonial ties with a monarchy and yielded a new nation. The French Revolution, inspired by the American Revolution as well as the Enlightenment, freed French citizens from an absolute monarchy and secured equality before the law for all male citizens.
Following the French Revolution the Napoleonic Code, a code written by Napoleon in 1800 was published. It is a set of laws created by Napoleon himself, that promotes equality and ends feudalism for the French people. The Napoleonic Code states “The exercise of civil rights is independent of the quality of citizen, which is only acquired and preserved conformably to the constitutional law” (Napoleonic Code, Article 7). This article of the Napoleonic Code is giving all French citizens civil rights through the constitution instead of through social status, which is how the French people’s natural rights were determined before. By doing this Napoleon gave all French men equal rights, no matter their social status.
The French Revolution was a drastic time for the people of France. In 1789, the majority of people were living in poverty and dealing with terrible conditions. People were split into three estates: the first, second, and third, the first being the wealthiest. Political, economic, and social situations were what contributed to people’s desire for change. The three main, or biggest causes of the French Revolution, were taxes, inequality, and lack of reform.
The French Revolution of 1789 marks a watershed in the political development of France and its role in European history. Many events contributed to the adversity that France was already facing before the revolution had even begun. The nation’s intervention in the Seven Years’ War, the American War of Independence, and their already problematic taxation system, ultimately caused it to go into state debt. This, combined with France’s rapidly growing population, is what most of France’s economic crisis revolved around. The French population had actually grown by about 8 million people from 1700 to 1789, making it Europe’s most populous state.
The main difference between the American and French Revoultion was that one successfully converted to a democratic government and one did not. The French Revolution was not successful in forming a democratic government due to France’s history of a monarchy, economic issues and divison among its’ people. Unlike America, France had a long history of sole rulers and dictatorship which made the change to a democratic government much more difficult and ultimately impossible. America’s motto of “all men are created equal” (Doc A) was the complete opposite of France’s dividing estate class system. The third estate consisted of peasents, common people and the bourgeoisie, the second estate belonged to the Nobles, and the first was the home to the Clergy.
The belief in equality was desired during the French Revolution, they wanted all citizens to be equal to one another. The belief in Fraternity was also very appreciated during the French Revolution, meaning they wanted peace between neighboring countries rather than war or battle. Napoleon Bonaparte ultimately
He created the Code Napoleon, which guaranteed equality under the law, regulation of the economy, absolute security of wealth and private property, and the end of feudalism (Pagano “Napoleon Domestic Program Good”). The Code Napoleon showed his desire for lower class citizens, such as poor farmers, to have an equal opportunity to succeed. His actions to regulate the economy alleviated the issues with taxing the Third Estate faced. Napoleon extended liberty even to those he conquered. In a speech to troops, Napoleon said that “there is one condition you must swear to fulfill - to respect the people whom you liberate...your property, your religion, and your customs will be respected” (Document 1).
During the Eighteenth Century, France had an absolute monarchy with Louis XVI as king and Marie Antoinette as queen. In that time period, French society was based upon a system of Estates where the clergy made up the First Estate; the nobility comprised the Second Estate, and everyone else including professionals, peasants, and the bourgeoisie made up the Third Estate. The Third Estate was immensely unhappy with the old regime, the Estates General, and Louis XVI’s leadership. France was also in the midst of a fiscal crisis due to the American Revolution, Louis XVI’s lavish lifestyle, the Seven Years War, and the tax exemption of the First and Second Estate. Following the surge of new ideas and impactful philosophers from the Enlightenment,
The Napoleonic Code, introduced in 1804, United many reforms of the French Revolution in one body of laws. This code had a positive effect on society because it gave all citizens equal rights under law and also gave them the right to work in any occupation. In addition, religious toleration was strengthened and the abolishment of feudalism continued in France. The Napoleonic Code is considered to be one of Napoleon’s greatest accomplishments in his governing of France. The code recognized the demands and needs of the people, yet still continued to preserve Napoleon’s control and
French society was defined by the the “Ancien Regime” the system of three estates (Clergy, Nobility, and Peasantry). The clergy and nobility were respected and had a higher position in society and the peasants were left to carry the country, by working farms, generating the wealth, and paying a large majority of taxes. This largely contributed to the tensions arising in 1780’s France. Meanwhile, France was engaged in the Age of Enlightenment people were demanding that church and state be separate, the King resigns and a new logic based system of government is to be established.
France became decentralized state and the nobility with their titles became powerful and the authority of the king became less effective. The powerful noblemen were constantly challenging the authority of the king. This form of government was established in the early 16th century when Louis the XII was in charge because The French kings constantly trying to restore their royal powers from their nobles and this was very important process to make France a centralized state. When Louis the XII’s son took over power.
The educational system in France, before Napoleon Bonaparte came into power, was very weak and elitist. The only students who attended schools were those of noble birth and were boys. The schools, at that time, were controlled by the church, giving them a biased view on education. During the Ancien Regime, it was a known fact that the church controlled everything. The whole point of students going to school was to become future clergys, as that was what they were taught in school and there was little teaching given on subjects such as math or geography.
The social hierarchy was no longer based on what class someone was born into, but rather based on skill. This new constitution declared that France had constitutional monarchy. This meant that there was a Legislative Assembly, who had the power to declare war or raise taxes. With this new form of government, the monarch’s power was limited. The monarch had no control over
Throughout 1789 the French people both men and women took part in a violent revolution, in cities, towns and villages all over France the French people decided to change the way they lived as they were not happy with their current living conditions. There were 2 main prevalent causes that fueled the Revolution and these were political and social issues. Social issues being the poverty amongst third estate members due to unfair taxation as well as the injustice hierarchy of the three estates and the political issues being that anyone could be arrested for any length of time and the rule of the divine right of kings. In France at the time, the law said that there were three estates.
