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Questions and Answers
What percentage of the population in French society in the eighteenth century were peasants?
What percentage of the population in French society in the eighteenth century were peasants?
Which estate in French society during the eighteenth century did not pay taxes?
Which estate in French society during the eighteenth century did not pay taxes?
What was a privilege enjoyed by members of the first two estates in the Old Regime of France?
What was a privilege enjoyed by members of the first two estates in the Old Regime of France?
What were some of the dues extracted from peasants by the nobles in French society during the eighteenth century?
What were some of the dues extracted from peasants by the nobles in French society during the eighteenth century?
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What type of taxes were levied on articles like salt and tobacco in French society during the eighteenth century?
What type of taxes were levied on articles like salt and tobacco in French society during the eighteenth century?
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Which term is commonly used to describe the society and institutions of France before 1789?
Which term is commonly used to describe the society and institutions of France before 1789?
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What device was used for beheading people during the Reign of Terror?
What device was used for beheading people during the Reign of Terror?
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What term was used to refer to the bread that citizens were required to eat during Robespierre's government?
What term was used to refer to the bread that citizens were required to eat during Robespierre's government?
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What action did Robespierre take regarding the forms of speech and address in France during his rule?
What action did Robespierre take regarding the forms of speech and address in France during his rule?
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What happened to the churches in France during Robespierre's rule?
What happened to the churches in France during Robespierre's rule?
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What led to Robespierre's arrest and conviction in July 1794?
What led to Robespierre's arrest and conviction in July 1794?
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What was the fate of Camille Desmoulins, as described in the text?
What was the fate of Camille Desmoulins, as described in the text?
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What was one of the main demands of the Society of Revolutionary and Republican Women?
What was one of the main demands of the Society of Revolutionary and Republican Women?
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Which aspect of women's lives did the Constitution of 1791 disappoint them about?
Which aspect of women's lives did the Constitution of 1791 disappoint them about?
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What change did the revolutionary government bring about in terms of marriage laws?
What change did the revolutionary government bring about in terms of marriage laws?
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In terms of education, what law did the revolutionary government introduce to improve the lives of women?
In terms of education, what law did the revolutionary government introduce to improve the lives of women?
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What new opportunity did women have in terms of jobs and businesses after certain legal changes?
What new opportunity did women have in terms of jobs and businesses after certain legal changes?
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Did the artist sympathize with or criticize the activities of the Society of Revolutionary and Republican Women in the image?
Did the artist sympathize with or criticize the activities of the Society of Revolutionary and Republican Women in the image?
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What important legacy of the French Revolution is highlighted in the text?
What important legacy of the French Revolution is highlighted in the text?
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In what year did Napoleon Bonaparte crown himself Emperor of France?
In what year did Napoleon Bonaparte crown himself Emperor of France?
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What was Napoleon's view of his role in Europe?
What was Napoleon's view of his role in Europe?
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Which aspect of the French Revolution did Napoleon emphasize through the protection of private property?
Which aspect of the French Revolution did Napoleon emphasize through the protection of private property?
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What concept did political philosophers like to write about lengthily that only a few educated people could read?
What concept did political philosophers like to write about lengthily that only a few educated people could read?
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What did the anonymous print from 1790 attempt to make tangible?
What did the anonymous print from 1790 attempt to make tangible?
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Why was the burden of financing state activities through taxes borne by the third estate alone?
Why was the burden of financing state activities through taxes borne by the third estate alone?
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What was the significance of the rising population of France from 1715 to 1789?
What was the significance of the rising population of France from 1715 to 1789?
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What does the anonymous etching 'The Spider and the Fly' symbolize?
What does the anonymous etching 'The Spider and the Fly' symbolize?
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How did the gap between the poor and the rich widen according to the text?
How did the gap between the poor and the rich widen according to the text?
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In what way did the taxation system impact different social estates in France?
In what way did the taxation system impact different social estates in France?
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What was the major consequence of wages not keeping pace with rising prices in France?
What was the major consequence of wages not keeping pace with rising prices in France?
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Study Notes
French Society in the 18th Century
- The French society was divided into three estates: the Clergy (1st estate), the Nobility (2nd estate), and the Commoners (3rd estate).
- The third estate was further divided into two groups: the rich (big businessmen, merchants, court officials, lawyers) and the poor (peasants, artisans, and small peasants).
The Burden of Taxation
- Only members of the third estate paid taxes, including a direct tax called "taille" and indirect taxes on everyday items like salt and tobacco.
- The nobility and the clergy were exempt from paying taxes due to their birth privileges.
The Feudal System
- The feudal system, which dated back to the Middle Ages, was characterized by a system of lords and vassals.
- Peasants were obligated to provide services to the lord, including working in their house and fields, serving in the army, and building roads.
- The Church also extracted taxes, known as "tithes", from the peasants.
Women's Rights
- Women's clubs emerged in different French cities, with the most famous being the Society of Revolutionary and Republican Women.
- The main demand of these women was to enjoy the same political rights as men, including the right to vote, hold office, and participate in the government.
- Initially, the revolutionary government introduced laws that improved the lives of women, such as making schooling compulsory, allowing women to train for jobs, and legalizing divorce.
The Reign of Terror
- During the Reign of Terror, people who were considered "guilty" were executed by the guillotine, a device invented by Dr. Guillotin.
- The government issued laws that controlled wages, prices, and food distribution, and forced peasants to transport their grain to cities and sell it at fixed prices.
The Fall of Robespierre
- Robespierre's government pursued policies that sought to establish equality, but his methods became increasingly radical.
- He was eventually convicted by a court, arrested, and executed by the guillotine.
The Legacy of the French Revolution
- The ideas of liberty and democratic rights spread from France to the rest of Europe during the 19th century.
- Napoleon Bonaparte, who crowned himself Emperor of France, introduced laws that protected private property and established a uniform system of weights and measures.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the social structure of French society in the eighteenth century, including the three estates, taxation system, and the term Old Regime. Explore how peasants made up the majority of the population during that time.
