The French society was divided into two classes.Write in brief about them.?

Question

Answer

1.Before the revolution, The French society was divided into three social classes : The first Estate, the second estate and the third estate, in the descending order.

2.The first estate consisted of higher order of priests and clergy.

3. Nobles and landlords were included in the second estate.

4.First two classes together accounted for only four percent of the French population.

5.The rest 96 percent constituted the third estates. Merchants, lawyers, doctors, teachers, craftsman, farmers and serfs included in the third estates.

Answer

The french society was divided into 3 estates.

1st estates - clergy (they were given the privileges by birth, they didnt pay taxes, the held vast lands)

2nd estates- nobels (they too didnt pay taxes)

3rd estates- common man (they had to pay taxes)

Answer

The French society during the 18th century was divided into two distinct classes: the nobility and the commoners. This division was mainly based on social status, wealth, and birthright.

1. Nobility:
The nobility, also known as the aristocracy, constituted a small percentage of the French population. They held a significant amount of power, wealth, and privileges. The nobles enjoyed feudal rights and were exempt from many taxes, including the taille (a land tax). They also had access to prestigious positions in the government, military, and the Church.

- Hereditary Privileges: Nobles enjoyed privileges that were passed down from generation to generation. They had exclusive rights to own and inherit land, as well as the ability to collect feudal dues from peasants residing on their estates.
- Social Status: The nobility held a distinguished social status and were considered the elite of French society. They lived lavish lifestyles in grand chateaux and were expected to adhere to strict codes of conduct and etiquette.
- Education and Upbringing: Nobles received a formal education, often in prestigious institutions, and were groomed for leadership roles. They were trained in arts, literature, and the sciences, further enhancing their social status.
- Court Life: Many nobles resided at the royal court in Versailles, serving the king or queen in various capacities. They participated in elaborate court ceremonies and engaged in social activities such as dancing, gambling, and attending grand balls.

2. Commoners:
The commoners, or the Third Estate, represented the majority of the French population. They were further divided into different social groups, including the bourgeoisie, urban workers, and peasants.

- Bourgeoisie: The bourgeoisie consisted of merchants, professionals, and skilled workers. They often enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle and had access to education and wealth. Some were able to climb the social ladder and attain positions of power through their economic success.
- Urban Workers: The urban working class comprised artisans, laborers, and domestic servants. They faced difficult working conditions, low wages, and had limited social mobility. Many lived in crowded and unsanitary conditions in cities.
- Peasants: The largest group within the Third Estate were peasants, who made up the rural farming population. They were burdened with heavy taxes, feudal obligations, and limited opportunities for upward mobility. Peasants were often subject to the whims and demands of the nobles who owned the land they worked on.

Despite their differences, both classes played crucial roles in French society. However, the rigid social structure and the vast disparities in wealth and privilege between the nobility and commoners would eventually contribute to the social unrest and revolution that took place in France in the late 18th century.

Answer

There is a term ‘Society of Estate’ which refers to how French society based on feudal system that dated back into middle ages was divided into three estates or classes namely the clergy and nobility which belong to the First and Second Estate and the third estate.
1) First Estate(Clergy) : This is the most privileged section of the society. Here Clergy means the church people,who were exempted from taxes, own vast lands and extracted feudal dues and services from peasants, they also extracted ‘tithes’ from the peasants. They are having the control over all high ranking positions in the army and the administration.
2)Second Estate(Nobility) : This is also the most privileged section of the society. It mostly includes nobles, they are also exempted from taxes and enjoys it's privileges by birth. It is also having control over all high ranking positions in the army and the administration.
3)Third Estate : The third Estate consists of peasants who formed 90% of the French population. It also included workers, professionals, businessmen and manufacturers. This Estate was the unprivileged section which enjoyed no political rights and social status, despite bearing the burden of taxes.
Many of the peasants were landless or did subsistence farming. The heavy taxes, tithes, taille, feudal dues, indirect taxes, forced labour coupled with bad harvests broght them into the brink of starvation.

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