Week 2- Social divisions Flashcards
What was the population of France by the 1780s?
It had the largest population in Europe.
27 million
How was the population divided?
It was divided into ‘estates’.
The first, second and third estate.
What was the first estate?
Comprised of the clergy.
Had approximately 150,000 members.
What was the second estate?
Made up of the nobility.
Had approximately 200,000- 400,000 members.
What was the third estate?
Everyone else (the commoners). They made up 98% of the population.
What duties did the First Estate have?
They were seen as essential for the nation’s well-being.
They carried out vital religious duties, controlled education and provided care for the elderly.
They also passed on royal messages to the public so had extensive powers of censorship.
What privileges did the church have?
The church was extremely wealthy- received income from rents and dues on church lands and from church taxes.
The church owned around 10% of land in France.
They did not have to pay the ‘taille’.
Instead, they paid a lump sum to the king called a ‘don gratuit’.
They were prosecuted in their own Church courts.
They did not have to provide military service or funding for the troops.
What divisions were there within the First Estate?
There was a large variation in wealth and power.
At the top, cardinals, archbishops and bishops came from the nobility and lived a lavish lifestyle.
However, the majority of the clergy were far poorer. Sometimes, even poorer than their own parishioners.
What duties did the Second Estate have?
They were required to serve and advise the King
What privileges did the nobility have?
They owned between a fifth and a quarter of land in France.
They had a privileged position in law (they could choose to be beheaded instead of hung).
They did not pay the ‘taille’.
They were exempt from indirect taxes.
Who were the noblesse d’épée?
The nobles of the sword.
They were the hereditary nobles.
Who were the noblesse de court?
Those is residence at Versailles.
They were able to access royal patronage and served as ambassadors and councillors.
Who were the provincial nobles?
Nobles living in the provinces with titles from duc to baron.
They included the ‘Princes of The Blood’- members of the King’s family.
Some of these nobles had become impoverished over the years but still kept their status.
Who were the noblesse de robe?
Had aquired noble status from venal jobs.
By 1789, there were over 70,000 of them.
What were the duties of the Third Estate?
Members of this estate had to earn their living.
Consisted of the bourgeoisie, urban workers and peasants.
