History
France before the revolution At the end of XVII century, France was one of the strongest powers in Europe. It represented a fairly homogeneous country in terms of ethnic and religious, involved by the affluent society, with the second - after Russia - a land army and the second - after the English - navy. Excellent development of Paris was the center of European culture. The system of absolute monarchy, formed from the time of Louis XII and Cardinal Richelieu, appeared to be stable. French society is divided into three states, according to the rules introduced in the Middle Ages. Despite that promotes the views of educated society deistic and psychiatrist, clergy kept many privileges. The church should have 10 per cent of the land, draw too much on income from tithes and alms, and paid virtually no taxes. Some clergy, in particular draws upon the aristocracy, was not religious and involved in politics rather pragmatics Nobility was exempt from the payment of many taxes, it only received the officers ranks and in practice they can only be appointed to higher offices of the Church