Question

How was the system of estates in French society organized?

Answer 1

Hint: It was the system that decided the tax one had to pay. It was the main reason due to which the peasant revolt started in France. It also determined who had the access to vote and choose one's representative.

Complete answer:
During the American War Of Independence with Britain, France supported America Financially which ruined the French economy itself and led to starvation as the price of bread increased to its highest extent. Also the Diplomatic king of France named Louis XVI, had increased the taxes for meeting his regular expenses like maintaining the army, court, etc. He also divided the whole country into three states which came to become the immediate cause of French Revolution :
1. First Estate
2. Second Estate
3. Third Estate

1. The First Estate consists of Clergy, Priests who enjoyed certain privileges by birth, one of those privileges included the non-payment of taxes .
2. The Second Estate consists of Nobles, Landlords and Kings. They were also exempted from paying taxes and even enjoyed feudal dues from peasants. They were even provided with the free services of the peasants who worked as servants for them.
3. Now comes the Third Estate which consisted of peasants, middle-class people, women and old people who alone made 90% of the population. They had to pay all the taxes such as Tithes and Taille, which were direct taxes and also many of the indirect taxes which were imposed through the everyday consumption of salt or tobacco. This Estate division widened the difference between the rich and the poor.

Note: The unit of currency of France at that time was ‘Livres' which was discontinued in 1794. The starvation during the period of ruined economy in France led to a Subsistence Crisis that means a situation where the basic needs of livelihood are in danger. Taille tax refers to the tax given directly to the state and Tithe refers to a tax which is paid directly to the church.