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describe the French society in the 18th century
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describe the French society in the 18th century Related: NCERT Soluti...
In the late eighteenth century, the French society was divided into three classes. These are:
1. The First Estate (The Clergy) :
This Estate consisted Archbishops, Bishops and Abbots who governed the Church of France. These held about one fifth of the total land. These paid no taxes themselves. The Church collected the direct tax called tithe (1/10th) from the people.
2. The Second Estate (The Nobles) :
There were about 80,000 noble families. They enjoyed the privileges and did not pay any taxes. They crushed the peasants and collected taxes from them. They acted as judges, prosecutors and juries.
3. The Third Estate (The Common People) :
The majority of population belonged to this Estate, called the Plebians. They were the middle class, peasants and workers. The educated middle class (the bourgeoisie) consisted of doctors, lawyers, teachers, merchants and others. These paid about 50% of their income by the way of taxes. The government did not care for their welfare. They retained only 18% of their income. The farmers owned only two fifth of the land but paid four fifth of the total taxes.

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describe the French society in the 18th century Related: NCERT Soluti...
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.
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