The Third Estate made up 95% of the population but had little power is the general Estates and they wanted equal privileges.
The Third Estate in pre-revolutionary France consisted primarily of the common people, including peasants, urban workers, and the bourgeoisie (middle class). This group made up the vast majority of the population and was responsible for paying most of the taxes, despite having little political power. They were distinct from the First Estate (clergy) and the Second Estate (nobility), who enjoyed privileges and exemptions. The Third Estate's grievances and demands for representation were pivotal in sparking the French Revolution.
Under the Old Regime in France, the Third Estate comprised approximately 97% of the population. This group included commoners, such as peasants, urban workers, and the bourgeoisie, who were burdened with heavy taxes and had little political power compared to the privileged First and Second Estates (the clergy and nobility, respectively). The significant size of the Third Estate played a crucial role in the social and political upheaval leading to the French Revolution.
The First Estate, composed of the clergy, constituted about 1% of the population, while the Second Estate, made up of the nobility, accounted for roughly 2%. Together, these two estates represented approximately 3% of the total population in France prior to the French Revolution. The remaining 97% of the population belonged to the Third Estate, which included commoners, peasants, and the bourgeoisie.
Members of the Third Estate felt underrepresented at the Estates General in May 1789 because they made up the vast majority of the population yet had the same number of votes as the much smaller First and Second Estates. Despite their significant numbers, their concerns and interests were often overshadowed by the privileges and influence of the clergy and nobility. Additionally, the Third Estate was largely composed of commoners, who lacked the same level of political power and social status, leading to feelings of frustration and marginalization in the decision-making process.
The third estate. The first estate was made up of the clergy, the second estate was made up of the nobles and the peasants made up the third estate.
Everyone else excluding the 1st estate and 2nd estate, so the bourgeois made up the third estate. Particularly the rich people.
The Third Estate (le Tiers-État) made up the vast bulk, nearly 99% of France's population. Most of these people were peasants and day laborers. The two other estates were the Clergy and the Nobility.
first estate second estate and third estate.
The French middle class belonged to the Third Estate (commoners) while the peasantry also belonged to the Third Estate. The First Estate was made up of the clergy and the Second Estate was made up of the nobility.
The bourgeoisie was made up of wealthy people while the third estate was made up of nobles.
Just before the French revolution, the 3 estates of French society were the first estate made up of the Clergy, the second estate made up of nobles and the third estate made up of the peasants. During this time, the first estate made up 0.5% of the population, the second estate made up 1.5% and the third estate made up the remaining 98%.
The third Estate,they made up approx. 98% of the population :) ~Aelias
The Catholic Clergy made up the First Estate and the Nobles the Second Estate. Everyone else was in the Third Estate.
The Third Estate Of France
The working class people who made up the Third Estate.
The French Estates General was made up of three main groups. This first Parliament consisted of the First Estates of clergy, the Second Estate of nobility, and the Third Estate of commoners.