French Society in the 18th Century
In the 18th century, French society was characterized by a rigid social hierarchy that was based on birth and privilege. The society was divided into three main estates: the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners.

The First Estate: The Clergy
- The clergy consisted of the high-ranking members of the Catholic Church.
- They held significant power and influence in society.
- They did not have to pay taxes and enjoyed many privileges.

The Second Estate: The Nobility
- The nobility consisted of the aristocracy, including the royal family, nobles, and other wealthy landowners.
- They held important positions in the government and military.
- Like the clergy, they were exempt from paying taxes and had many privileges.

The Third Estate: The Commoners
- The commoners made up the majority of the population and were divided into different groups, such as the bourgeoisie, merchants, artisans, and peasants.
- They had to pay heavy taxes and were burdened with feudal dues and obligations.
- Many commoners were discontented with the privileges enjoyed by the clergy and nobility.

Social Inequality and Unrest
- The rigid social hierarchy and vast economic disparities between the estates led to growing discontent among the commoners.
- The Enlightenment ideas of equality and liberty also fueled resentment towards the privileged classes.
- The inequality and injustices in French society ultimately contributed to the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789.
Overall, the French society in the 18th century was marked by deep social divisions and inequalities, which ultimately led to significant political and social upheaval.