The Second Estate consisted of the nobility of France, including members of the royal family, except for the King . Members of the Second Estate did not have to pay any taxes. They were also awarded special priviliges, such as the wearing a sword and hunting.
What was the second estate called in France?
France under the Ancien Régime (before the French Revolution) divided society into three estates: the First Estate (clergy); the Second Estate (nobility); and the Third Estate (commoners). The king was not considered part of any estate.
What were the 3 estates of France?
The political and financial situation in France had grown rather bleak, forcing Louis XVI to summon the Estates General. This assembly was composed of three estates – the clergy, nobility and commoners – who had the power to decide on the levying of new taxes and to undertake reforms in the country.
What was the role of the second estate in France?
The Second Estate was the French nobility and (technically, although not in common use) royalty, other than the monarch himself, who stood outside of the system of estates . ... The rural included peasants who owned their own land (and could be prosperous) and peasants who worked on nobles’ or wealthier peasants’ land.
What did the second estate want in the French Revolution?
Although the Second Estate was considered to be the nobility there were some that were poor, many had some wealth, and a few were filthy rich. Both the First Estate and Second Estate did not want anything to change in France unless there was chance they could gain more political power.
Does France still have nobility?
Despite officially not existing, the French nobility continues to endure and often thrive in the 21st Century. ... But the French nobility – la noblesse – is still very much alive . In fact, in sheer numbers there may be more nobles today than there were before the Revolution.
Why was the estate system in France unfair?
The causes of the French Revolution were that the Estate System was unfair, the government of France was into much debt, and was therefore taxing too much , and that people resented the power of the Church. ... The Church also had money, but were not required to pay taxes. This caused the third estate to demand reform.
What was the political situation in France at the time?
Answer: During this period, French citizens razed and redesigned their country’s political landscape , uprooting centuries-old institutions such as absolute monarchy and the feudal system.
What do you know about Reign of Terror in France?
The Reign of Terror (September 5, 1793 – July 28, 1794), also known as The Terror, was a period of violence during the French Revolution incited by conflict between two rival political factions, the Girondins (moderate republicans) and the Jacobins (radical republicans), and marked by mass executions of “the enemies of ...
What was the First Estate in France?
The First Estate was the clergy , who were people, including priests, who ran both the Catholic church and some aspects of the country. In addition to keeping registers of births, deaths and marriages, the clergy also had the power to levy a 10% tax known as the tithe.
How did the second estate get paid?
For more conservative nobles, their main source of income was land. Wealthier nobles owned large estates and ran them as businesses. The main sources of income for these landed nobles were rents, feudal dues and the profits of agricultural production .
What was the role of the First Estate in France?
1. The First Estate was one of France’s three social orders. It contained all persons ordained in a Catholic religious order , from cardinals and archbishops down to priests, monks and nuns.
How was the 2nd estate treated?
Before the revolution, French society was divided into three estates, or orders. All citizens who were members of the Second Estate possessed a noble title either through birth, royal gift, or venal purchase . As noble titles were of different status, titles came with different privileges.
How did the 3 estates cause the French Revolution?
The Third Estate would become a very important early part of the French Revolution. ... But the dramatic inequality in voting—the Third Estate represented more people, but only had the same voting power as the clergy or the nobility—led to the Third Estate demanding more voting power , and as things developed, more rights.
Why was the Third Estate unhappy?
The members of the Third estate were unhappy with the prevailing conditions because they paid all the taxes to the government . Further, they were also not entitled to any privileges enjoyed by the clergy and nobles. Taxes were imposed on every essential item.
Why was France in debt?
Causes of debt
The French Crown’s debt was caused by both individual decisions , such as intervention in the American War of Independence and the Seven Years’ War, and underlying issues such as an inadequate taxation system.
