Ancien Régime

The Ancien Régime refers to the political and social system in France before the French Revolution of 1789. It was characterized by absolute monarchy, where the king held significant power, and a rigid social hierarchy known as feudalism. Society was divided into three estates: the clergy, the nobility, and the common people (the Third Estate). This system faced criticism for its inequality and privileges among the upper classes, ultimately leading to widespread unrest and the push for change during the Revolution, which sought to establish principles of equality, liberty, and fraternity.