The Three Estates Flashcards

Study Notes

The Three Estates in France

First estate: Represents 1% of the population, primarily Roman Catholic Church, including higher and lower clergy, exempt from taxes.
Second estate: Composed of the aristocracy, accounting for less than 2% of the population, owning 20% of land, and also tax-exempt, with high-ranking government positions.
Third estate: Encompasses 98% of the population, including artisans, bourgeoisie, city workers, merchants, and peasants; burdened with high taxes and dissatisfaction with the government.

Powers of Each Estate

First estate: Collected the church tithe, censored the press, controlled education, maintained records of births, deaths, and marriages, and upheld Catholicism as the state religion.
Second estate: Collected feudal dues as taxes, dominated military positions and state appointments, owned significant land.
Third estate: Held no formal powers.

Privileges

First estate: Received tax exemptions and was subject to church law instead of civil law.
Second estate: Enjoyed complete tax immunity.
Third estate: Lacked privileges and faced numerous burdens.

Role and Responsibilities

First estate: Had a moral obligation to aid the needy and support the monarch and the old regime.
Second estate: Primarily supported the monarchy and the traditional power structure.
Third estate: Responsible for paying all taxes, including tithe and other levies like octroi, road work duties, capitulation, and taille.

Key Historical Figures

Marie Antoinette: Queen of France during the French Revolution, originally from Austria, faced significant unpopularity among the third estate.
King Louis XVI: Lavish lifestyle characterized his reign during the French Revolution; attempted to raise taxes amidst growing discontent.

Significant Events

Estates-General: Assembly representing the three estates in France, highlighting the social class structure.
Tennis Court Oath: Pledge made by the National Assembly in 1789 after being locked out of their meeting room; vowed to draft a new constitution.
Bastille: A Paris prison symbolizing the 'Ancien Régime'; captured by angry protesters on July 14, 1789, an event now commemorated in France.

French Revolution Principles

Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity: The foundational principles that drove the French Revolution, emphasizing individual freedoms and collective rights.

Description

Explore the concept of the Three Estates in France through these flashcards. Learn about the First, Second, and Third Estates, their roles in society, and their impact on French history. This quiz will help you understand the social structure preceding the French Revolution.