Question

describe the divisions of the french society before the french revolution

Answer 1

The French society was divided into 3 divisions called 'Estates'. They were-
1. First estate- Consisting of the clergymen and priests. They had privileges from birth and we exempted from paying taxes.
2. Second estate- The nobility. Consisted of rich businessmen and merchants. They were also exempted from paying taxes and had feudal privileges.
3. Third estate- The rest of the population, which bore the burden of paying all the taxes, including peasants, farmers, laborers, etc. And had no privileges.

Answer 2

Before the French revolution , the French society was divided into three estates :—

1. The first estate was comprised of the church and the clergy. They enjoyed certain privileges by birth. The most important of these privileges for exemption from paying taxes.
2. The second estate was comprised of the nobles and other rich people of the society. These were also exempted from paying taxes. They also enjoyed feudal privileges which included collection of feudal dues by the peasants.
3. The third estate was comprised of big businessman ,merchant ,Court officials, lawyers, peasants & artisans landless labourers and servants. Within the third state , some were rich and the other were poor. the peasants obliged the landlords by working on their fields, in their houses, to serve in the army or to participate in the building of roads. They were paying all direct taxes like taille and a number of indirect taxes on salt or tobacco, but had no rights.