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Questions and Answers
What financial challenges did Louis XVI face when he became king in 1774?
Louis XVI faced an empty treasury due to years of war and extravagant expenses from the court and Versailles.
Describe the composition of the Third Estate in French society during this time period.
The Third Estate consisted of a diverse group including wealthy businessmen, merchants, lawyers, and the majority, which were peasants and landless laborers.
What types of taxes were imposed on the peasantry, and who benefited from them?
Peasants were subject to state taxes like the taille, church tithes, and various indirect taxes on goods, benefiting the nobility and clergy.
How did the privileges of the nobility impact the peasantry in the late eighteenth century France?
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What was the primary source of revenue for financing the state in late eighteenth century France?
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Study Notes
French Society in the Late 18th Century
- Louis XVI inherited an empty treasury in 1774.
- The French treasury was burdened by years of war and extravagant court expenses.
- The French monarchy spent a significant amount on maintaining Versailles Palace and supporting the American Revolution.
- Lenders demanded high interest rates for loans to the French crown.
The Three Estates
- The First Estate: Clergy
- The Second Estate: Nobility
- The Third Estate:
- Rich members: Big businessmen, merchants, court officials, lawyers.
- Poor members: Peasants and artisans, small peasants, and landless laborers.
- Peasants constituted roughly 90% of the population, but most did not own the land they farmed.
- 60% of the land was owned by the nobility, clergy, and wealthy members of the Third Estate.
- The First and Second Estates enjoyed significant tax exemptions.
- The nobility collected feudal dues from peasants.
- Peasants were required to provide services to their landlords.
- These services included working on their estates, serving in the army, or participating in building infrastructure projects.
- The Church collected tithes from peasants, amounting to one-tenth of agricultural produce.
State Financing
- The Third Estate was primarily responsible for state financing through direct and indirect taxes.
- Peasants bore the brunt of state taxation, including the taille (a direct tax) and numerous indirect taxes on everyday goods.
- Some examples of indirect taxes include salt and tobacco.
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Description
Test your knowledge of French society during the late 18th century. This quiz covers the economic struggles of Louis XVI, the structure of the Three Estates, and the taxation issues faced by the peasantry. Dive into the complexities of class and privilege that set the stage for the French Revolution.
