England and France had many similar economic, social and political structures. Both of these countries were built on territorial expansion and many times both of these countries warred against each other. Due to their proximity, England and France interacted closely with each other, influencing each other's ways of life.
During the early 1600's both France and England had established colonies in the New World. The English dealt mainly in trade and the French often dealt with furs. These colonies brought in a large amount of income for both countries, helping feed the rift that existed between the lower and upper classes. .
The upper classes weren't the only ones in France and England angling for cash; the royalty was also looking for money. How these rulers conducted their search would eventually create the difference in their ruling tactics. In England the king used threats and violence to get taxes from his noblemen. These noblemen in turn created safeguards that they hoped would protect them from the king's search for money. These safeguards took form as the Parliament. England's way of governing came to be known as "Parliamentary Monarchy". .
France's ruling system, known as "Absolutism", was very similar but not quite the same. Instead of using scare tactics on those who were to give him money, Louis XIV made nobles dependent on him. Nobles progressed up the social ladder by the king's goodwill. Hence, French nobility did not feel the need to enact safeguards. .
France's king did have certain limits not unlike those England's ruler had to deal with through the Parliament. French nobles enjoyed a large amount of local power in their individual counties. Before the king ruled on matters that would directly affect certain specific counties, he met with that area's nobility. .
Pre-Revolutionary Europe was characterized by four distinct social circumstances: first, the aristocracy inherited certain very enviable privileges such as governmental power and tax exemptions.