Name the categories which constitute the French society.
During the eighteenth century the French Society was
divided into three groups. These groups were called estates. The three types of
groups were - First estate, Second estate and Third estate.
First estate - Clergy belonged to 1st estate of then
French Society. They were holders of land. They received a tax named' tithe'( A tax levied by the church, comprising one-tenth of the agricultural produce.) from the peasants. The clergy enjoyed several privileges and political and economic concessions. For example, they were exempted from paying taxes. They intervened into politics of the state. They had become pleasure loving.
Second estate - Nobility belonged to 2nd estate of then
French Society. They were in possession of large part of land. They too enjoyed political and economic privileges. They too were free from taxes. They were benefited by political, military and judicial posts on hereditary basis. They were governed by a set of laws separate from those meant for the members of the third estate. Luxury and pleasure were the main features of their life.
Third estate: - The 3rd estate of then French society
was further divided into three categories. Big businessmen, merchants, court
officials, lawyers, etc. belonged to the first category of 3rd estate. This class was well-educated. Their financial condition was good. In spite of this and the quality of this class was deprived of higher posts in the administration. Thy raised their voice against the monarchy to get prestige and rights. Peasants
and artisans belonged to the second category. Their condition was miserable.They were cruelly crushed. And lower middle class of peasants, landless
labours belonged to third category, and were considered as the
lowest class in the society. Members of the third state had to pay all types of
taxes including taille, crown tax to the king, waijam tax(income tax), salt tax, etc.
During the eighteenth century the French Society was divided into three groups. These groups were called estates. The three types of groups were - First estate, Second estate and Third estate.
First estate - Clergy belonged to 1st estate of then French Society. They were holders of land. They received a tax named' tithe'( A tax levied by the church, comprising one-tenth of the agricultural produce.) from the peasants. The clergy enjoyed several privileges and political and economic concessions. For example, they were exempted from paying taxes. They intervened into politics of the state. They had become pleasure loving.
Second estate - Nobility belonged to 2nd estate of then French Society. They were in possession of large part of land. They too enjoyed political and economic privileges. They too were free from taxes. They were benefited by political, military and judicial posts on hereditary basis. They were governed by a set of laws separate from those meant for the members of the third estate. Luxury and pleasure were the main features of their life.
Third estate: - The 3rd estate of then French society was further divided into three categories. Big businessmen, merchants, court officials, lawyers, etc. belonged to the first category of 3rd estate. This class was well-educated. Their financial condition was good. In spite of this and the quality of this class was deprived of higher posts in the administration. Thy raised their voice against the monarchy to get prestige and rights. Peasants and artisans belonged to the second category. Their condition was miserable.They were cruelly crushed. And lower middle class of peasants, landless labours belonged to third category, and were considered as the lowest class in the society. Members of the third state had to pay all types of taxes including taille, crown tax to the king, waijam tax(income tax), salt tax, etc.
