USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -In the First Estate were the clergy or leaders of the Church. The Church owned land and individuals took care of this land for them, however they were not responsible for paying taxes on this land. They did send a small amount of money to the government each year as a gift.

Detailed explanation-2: -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.

Detailed explanation-3: -The First Estate occupied a prestigious place in the social order. Belief in God, religion and the afterlife dominated late 18th century Europe, so for ordinary people the church and its clergy were the only avenues for understanding or accessing God and the afterlife.

Detailed explanation-4: -Tithe was a tax to religious contribution and was collected by the church.

Detailed explanation-5: -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 considered part of no estate.