Which of the following were the estates of French society ?a)First Est...
1st estate - The first estate consisted of the clergy. The clergy were exempted from paying taxes to the king.
2nd estate - The second estate consisted of nobility. The nobility was also exempted from taxes. The nobles further enjoyed feudal privileges. These included feudal dues, which they extracted from the peasants.
3rd estate - The third estate consisted of big businessmen, merchants,, court officials, lawyers, peasants and artisian, landless labour, servants etc. The third estate comprised both rich and poor persons.
It was divided on the basis of their cast .
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Which of the following were the estates of French society ?a)First Est...
The correct answer is option 'D', which means that all of the above options - First Estate, Second Estate, and Third Estate - were the estates of French society. Now, let's understand what each estate represents.
First Estate:
The First Estate refers to the clergy of the Catholic Church in France. They were the highest-ranking members of society and enjoyed significant privileges and power. The clergy consisted of bishops, abbots, and other religious leaders. They were exempt from taxes and owned a considerable amount of land.
Second Estate:
The Second Estate comprised the nobility of France. They held important positions in the government, military, and judiciary. The nobles also enjoyed privileges such as exemption from certain taxes and the right to hunt on their lands. They constituted a small percentage of the population but held a significant amount of wealth and power.
Third Estate:
The Third Estate was the largest and most diverse estate in French society. It included commoners, peasants, merchants, entrepreneurs, and professionals. This estate represented the majority of the population, but they had limited political influence and were burdened with heavy taxes and feudal dues. The Third Estate was further divided into different groups based on wealth and occupation.
- Bourgeoisie: This group consisted of the middle class, including merchants, bankers, and professionals. They were relatively prosperous and often well-educated.
- Urban Workers: This group comprised the laborers, artisans, and craftsmen who worked in cities and towns.
- Peasants: The peasants formed the largest subgroup within the Third Estate. They were primarily agricultural workers and lived in rural areas. They faced harsh conditions, heavy taxation, and were subject to feudal obligations.
The Estates-General:
The Estates-General was a representative assembly that included members from all three estates. It was convened by the king to address financial and political issues. However, the First and Second Estates held a disproportionate amount of power compared to the Third Estate, which led to significant social and political tensions.
The division of French society into different estates played a crucial role in the lead-up to the French Revolution. The inequality and grievances faced by the Third Estate, combined with Enlightenment ideas of equality and liberty, eventually led to the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of a more democratic system in France.
Which of the following were the estates of French society ?a)First Est...
D- all of the above