Mantalite refers to the totality of beliefs, ideas, and customs that characterize a society or the habitual way of thinking of a group of people. This concept was introduced by the French Annales School to describe the psychological state of people living in a particular era. Specifically, the psychological state of people in the 100 years leading up to the French Revolution in 1789 is analyzed to trace psychological changes.

The study of mantalite is not limited to historically significant figures, but includes members of all groups that formed the social strata. It is an attempt to analyze the psychological changes throughout society and further describe the psychological background of the French Revolution.

The French Annales School’s methodology and choice of subjects differ significantly from earlier historiography. The group psychological analysis using mantalite is just one example of their innovative approach. They also analyze the historical change of the relationship between nature and humans from a helicopter flying low over farmland and divide it into long-term, mid-term, and short-term in the concept of time. Additionally, Braudel divides the size of the silver market into three stages and analyzes historical changes along with the concept of time.

This new analysis and method of the Annales School is highly valued because it attempts to overcome the limitations of historical sources and avoid excessively political history-oriented narratives. For this reason, the French Annales School is considered the highest peak of history in the 20th century.