French Revolution: Third Estate Characteristics

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Questions and Answers

How was the French society divided into different estates in the 18th century?

The French society was divided into three estates in the 18th century: the clergy (1st estate), the nobility (2nd estate), and the commoners (3rd estate).

What were the main reasons for the empty treasure when the King became the ruler?

The main reasons for the empty treasure when the King became the ruler were the long years of war and the maintenance of the court of the Palace of Versailles.

Describe the privileges and power held by the clergy (1st estate) in French society.

The clergy, which included priests, bishops, and other religious leaders, were part of the church and held a lot of power and influence. They were also exempted from paying taxes.

What was the role and status of the nobility (2nd estate) in French society?

The nobility, which included kings, queens, lords, and other aristocrats, were usually wealthy and had a lot of privileges in French society. Signup and view all the answers

Why was the measure of increasing taxes not sufficient to meet the expenses of the French government?

The measure of increasing taxes was not sufficient because only the members of the third estate paid taxes, while the clergy and nobility were exempted from paying taxes. Signup and view all the answers

How did the French government's involvement in the American War of Independence contribute to the financial problems faced by the French state?

The French government's involvement in helping the thirteen American colonies gain independence from Britain added a lot of debt to the French government, which was a major factor in the empty treasury when the new King took over. Signup and view all the answers

What were the feudal dues extracted from the peasants in the Old Regime France?

The feudal dues were payments or services owed by the peasants to the nobles and the Church. Signup and view all the answers

What was the burden faced by the Third Estate alone in financing the state?

The burden of financing the state through taxes was borne by the Third Estate alone. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the population in France was made up of peasants, and how much land did they own?

Peasants made up about 90 percent of the population, but only a small number of them owned the land they cultivated. Signup and view all the answers

What factors led to the subsistence crisis or frequent food shortages in Old Regime France?

The rapid increase in population and demand for food, coupled with stagnant wages and poor harvests due to droughts or hail, led to frequent subsistence crises or food shortages. Signup and view all the answers

How did the growing middle class challenge the privileges of birth in eighteenth-century France?

The educated middle class believed that no group in society should be privileged by birth, challenging the existing social order. Signup and view all the answers

What were the sources of wealth for the growing middle class in eighteenth-century France?

The middle class earned their wealth through an expanding overseas trade and from the manufacture of goods such as woollen and silk textiles. Signup and view all the answers

What were the three estates in pre-revolutionary France, and how were they represented in the Estates General?

The three estates were: 1) The clergy (First Estate), 2) The nobility (Second Estate), and 3) The commoners (Third Estate). In the Estates General, the First and Second Estates each had 300 representatives seated facing each other, while the 600 members of the Third Estate had to stand at the back. Signup and view all the answers

What was the key demand of the Third Estate regarding voting in the Estates General, and how did the King respond?

The Third Estate demanded that voting in the Estates General be conducted by the assembly as a whole, with each member having one vote. The King rejected this proposal. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the events that led to the formation of the National Assembly by the Third Estate.

After the King rejected their demand for voting by head, the members of the Third Estate protested and walked out of the Estates General assembly. On June 20, 1789, they assembled in an indoor tennis court and formed the National Assembly. Signup and view all the answers

How did the ideas of philosophers spread among the people in pre-revolutionary France?

The ideas of philosophers were discussed intensively in salons and coffee-houses, and spread among people through books and newspapers, which were often read aloud in groups for those who could not read and write. Signup and view all the answers

What was the reaction of the people to the news that King Louis XVI planned to impose further taxes?

The news that Louis XVI planned to impose further taxes to meet the expenses of the state generated anger and protest against the system, contributing to the outbreak of the revolution. Signup and view all the answers

How did the rise of the middle class in the eighteenth century contribute to the outbreak of the French Revolution?

Some philosophers considered that the middle class was solely responsible for the revolution. The middle class, represented by the educated and prosperous members of the Third Estate, played a key role in challenging the existing social order and demanding political representation. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

French Society in the 18th Century

French society was divided into three estates: the clergy (1st estate), the nobility (2nd estate), and the commoners (3rd estate)

Estates and Their Privileges

1st Estate: Clergy

Held significant power and privilege
Controlled vast landholdings and wealth
Exempt from taxes and enjoyed immunity from civil law
Had a significant role in governing and advising the king

2nd Estate: Nobility

Held high social status and wealth
Enjoyed privileges such as exemption from taxes and hunting rights
Held important positions in the government, army, and church
Their status was based on birth and family lineage

Financial Problems of the French Government

The French government faced financial problems due to:
- Empty treasury when the King became the ruler
- Increasing taxes, which were not sufficient to meet expenses
- Involvement in the American War of Independence
French government's financial problems led to a subsistence crisis and frequent food shortages

Burden on the Third Estate

The Third Estate (commoners) alone bore the burden of financing the state
Peasants, who made up around 80% of the population, owned around 40% of the land
They paid feudal dues, such as tithes, rente, and corvée, to the nobility and clergy

Factors Leading to the French Revolution

Growing middle class challenged the privileges of birth
Middle class wealth came from:
- Trade and commerce
- Industry and manufacturing
- Financial investments
The rise of the middle class contributed to the outbreak of the French Revolution

Estates General and the National Assembly

The three estates were represented in the Estates General
Key demand of the Third Estate was voting by head, not by estate
King Louis XVI refused to grant this demand, leading to the formation of the National Assembly by the Third Estate

Spread of Enlightenment Ideas

Philosophers' ideas spread through:
- Salons and coffeehouses
- Pamphlets and publications
- Conversation and debate
These ideas contributed to the growing discontent among the Third Estate and the eventual outbreak of the French Revolution

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Description

Learn about the characteristics and role of the third estate during the French Revolution, including the types of people included, their financial burden, and land ownership statistics. Dive into the significance of peasants, merchants, and workers in this historical context.