What happened to primogeniture during the reforms of the National Assembly?

• A. It was ended in many areas
• B. It was strengthened
• C. It remained unchanged
• D. It became universal law

Answer: (A)

Primogeniture means the eldest son inherits the entire estate, a privilege tied to the old feudal order. The National Assembly aimed to dismantle those privileges and create legal equality. Through the August 1789 decrees and related reforms, aristocratic privileges—including primogeniture—were ended in many areas, allowing estates to be divided among heirs rather than staying intact for the eldest son. This weakened the wealth concentrations of the nobility and aligned with the revolutionary push toward equality before the law. While the change spread in many regions, it did not instantly become universal across every area.