Question

Describe the structure of French society in the 18th century.

Answer 1

Instructions: This is a question for 3 marks. We have to give at least three points to justify our answer. So our answer will comprise of:

1. The division of French society into Estates;
2. The privileges of the First and Second Estates;
3. The treatment of the Third Estate

Solution: The French society in the 18th century was structured as follows:

1. French society was divided into three classes known as Estates with the First Estate being the clergy, the Second Estate being the nobility and the Third Estate, which included the rest of the society consisting of peasants and the middle class merchants and professionals.
2. The First and the Second Estate formed the privileged classes. They owned most of the land even though they were only a tiny fraction of the French population, all the important posts of the state were held by them and they were exempted from paying taxes.
3. The Third Estate, on the other hand, received no privileges. They were heavily taxed by the state and were imprisoned if they did not pay the tax. The peasants had to perform compulsory unpaid services. The merchants and professionals of the middle classes were denied social equality and political rights.

Thus, French society in the 18th century was characterised by extreme inequality between the privileged and the non-privileged classes.