Question

18th-century French society was divided into –

Answer 1

Hint: France remained a nation of small producers, traders, and consumers under the republic. Napoleon III's era was defined by a boom of industrialization that fell short of a full-fledged industrial revolution. A stagnant or slowly evolving segment of the economy considerably exceeded the new dynamic sector. In comparison to other industrialising countries, the majority of the industry remained smaller and more dispersed.

Complete answer:
The French Society was divided into three divisions during the eighteenth century. Estates were the names given to these groups. The first estate, Second estate, and Third estate were the three types of groups.

i) Clergy: Clergy belonged to the first estate of the French Society at the time. They were property owners. The peasants paid them a tithe (a tax charged by the church, consisting of one-tenth of the agricultural produce.) Several privileges and political and economic concessions were granted to the clergy. They were, for example, excluded from paying taxes. They interjected themselves into state politics. They had developed a taste for pleasure.

ii) Nobles: The second estate of French society at the time was the nobility. They controlled a big portion of the land. They, too, benefited from political and economic advantages. They, too, were exempt from paying taxes. They profited from inherited political, military, and judicial positions. They were controlled by a different set of laws than those that applied to the members of the third estate.

iii) Middle Class, Artisans and Peasants: The 3rd estate of French society was divided into three sections during the time. The first category of the 3rd estate included big businesses, merchants, court officials, lawyers, and so on. This was a well-educated class. They were in good financial shape. Despite this, the quality of this class was denied access to higher administrative positions. Your voice was raised against the monarchy.

Note: The second group included peasants and artisans. Their situation was deplorable. They were brutally suffocated. The third category included the lower middle class of peasants, landless labourers, and was considered the lowest stratum in society. Members of the third state were required to pay a variety of taxes, including taille, the king's crown tax, wajam tax (income tax), salt tax, and so on.