Final answer:
In pre-revolutionary France, the three estates consisted of the clergy (First Estate), the nobility (Second Estate), and the commoners (Third Estate), with the latter carrying the heaviest tax burden despite comprising 97% of the population. These social inequities fueled widespread discontent and, coupled with economic hardships, led to demands for reform and eventually the French Revolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
Three Estates of French Society in 1789
In 1789, the French society was divided into three estates that reflected its social structure and played a significant role in the events leading up to the French Revolution. The First Estate was made up of the clergy, occupying less than 1% of the population but controlling about 10% of the land. Despite their wealth, the clergy paid minimal taxes to the government.
The Second Estate consisted of the nobility, representing about 2% of the population. They held a significant amount of the nation's wealth, including 20% of the land, and had almost complete tax exemption. This estate held high-ranking positions in the government and military, reinforcing their power and influence.
The Third Estate encompassed the widest range of people, including peasants, the urban poor, and the bourgeoisie (middle-class citizens such as merchants and professionals). Accounting for around 97% of the population, the Third Estate bore the majority of the tax burden, despite often living in poorer conditions than the privileged First and Second Estates.
The three estates had distinct reasons for their dissatisfaction. The First and Second Estates wanted to preserve their privileges and avoid taxation. On the other hand, the Third Estate was frustrated with their heavy tax burden, lack of political representation, and worsening economic conditions, including food shortages and unemployment brought on by crop failures. These conditions led to a demand for reforms and, ultimately, the French Revolution.
The Catalysts for the French Revolution
With the French government approaching bankruptcy and the society under economic strain, Louis XVI called the Estates General to address these crises. However, the Third Estate's members were increasingly dissatisfied with the obsolete voting system that negated their numerical majority in favor of the privileged Estates. This led them to form the National Assembly, challenging royal authority and demanding a fair tax system and governmental reforms. The formation of a public national guard and the storming of the Bastille were direct responses to the king's military actions against this uprising, underscoring the growing demand for change and the collapse of the old social order.