Question

In how many estates were the French society divided?
A. Three
B. Four
C. Five
D. Six

Answer 1

Hint: Before the French Revolution, France was divided into estates under the Ancien Regime. These estates today are known as the division of powers within a government.

Complete answer: The French society was divided into three estates before the French Revolution. These were the social hierarchy that existed in Christian Europe from the early medieval period to early modern Europe. The First estate was the Clergy, the Second Estate was the Nobility and the Third Estate were the commoners. The medieval Church only allowed social mobility to a certain level. Only the members of the nobility were allowed to take the highest positions in the church. Nepotism was very common during this period. Outstanding military or business success could increase one’s social hierarchy. However, this was rare and required royal patronage.
Louis IV was at the top of the social order since he was the royalty. The estates were very important in French society because it determined a person’s rights, status and obligations. The estates were very impenetrable. And a person belonging to a particular estate remained in it for their lifetime. It took several generations to move up the hierarchy.
Option A is the right answer.

Note: Most people in France belonged to the third estate which was for the commoners. The members of this estate had to pay a tax to the state. It was called Taille. These taxes had to be paid on daily items like tobacco, salt etc. Nobility was hereditary.