Murray's Social Studies

During the years preceding the French Revolution, France had a social structure resembling feudalism. Wealth was primarily measured by land ownership and peasants were exploited on the land.

The first estate made up 1% of the population, but they had 10% of all of the land. Clergy did not pay any taxes. They had privileges, and placed a tax on the peasantry called the tithe. Do not think of this as similar to the modern day tithes you may pay to your church, as it is nothing like that! This one was mandatory and there would be consequences for not paying it. At this point in history, the church had immense power.

These were the artisans and factory workers. However, during this era, jobs were not what they are today. You would line up every day outside the factory and hope to be one of the ones picked that day. If you were, you could eat. If not, you did not. They were the most politicized group. The interesting thing about this group was their high literacy rate. Unlike the poor in other countries, these people could read and write...which meant trouble for the wealthy when the political pamphlets came!