Final answer:
The three estates of France were the First Estate (clergy), Second Estate (nobility), and Third Estate (majority of the population).
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1789, the three estates of France were:
- The First Estate: This estate comprised the clergy and accounted for approximately 1% of the population. They owned about 10% of French lands and paid 2% in taxes to the French government.
- The Second Estate: This estate consisted of the nobility, making up around 2% of the population. They controlled about 20% of France's land and were exempt from paying taxes.
- The Third Estate: This estate included the majority of the French population, accounting for about 97%. It was a diverse group, comprising the bourgeoisie (middle class), comprising merchants, bankers, and professionals, as well as urban laborers and peasants.