How the system of estates in french society organised?

Answer 1

King Louis XVI wanted the Estates to gather in May 1789. This hadn't happened since 1614 and was proof that Louis XVI really needed serious help to deal with the state debt. France had been announced bankrupt in 1788.

Answer 2

It represented the three social orders within French society. The First Estate was made up of the Catholic clergy. The Second Estate represented the Nobles and the remaining 97% of the French population were in the Third Estate.

Answer 3

The First Estate was the Catholic clergy. They could be Abbots and monks who had taken an Oath of Poverty, but were housed in luxury facility on a multi million dollar estate,

The Second Estate was the Nobles, who may be wealthy or in debt, but they would never be considered poor.

The Third Estate was everyone else. They might be the very wealthy or the beggars and street urchins.

Answer 4

Before the French Revolution, the Ancien Regime system was hierarchally based on the concentration of all political, social and economic power between three classes, the monarchy, the clergy, and the aristocracy.

- The First estate represented the Roman Catholic clergy. The first estate was made up of the religious leaders who were in charge of the Church. While these individuals made up only 1% of the total population, they controlled almost 10% of the land in France. This land brought them a great deal of wealth from the products produced on it, and in the form of rent from peasants. Those who belonged to this estate also received a tithing, or tax of 10% of all the earnings of those who lived on their land. This tithing was supposed to be utilized to run the church. However, it was often used to fund the extravagant lifestyles of those who belonged to the first estate.

- The Second estate represented the nobility, with its main governor, King Louis XVI and his "court". The second estate of French society was made up of the nobility. These nobles lived on manors which they had inherited. The second estate consisted of about 2% of the total population, and owned about 25% of the total land in France. These nobles collected dues and rent from the peasants who lived on their lands. This endless source of income allowed them to live a lavish lifestyle.

- Finally, the Third estate represented the rest of the population, the "poorest" and largest group of people.

By far the largest social group in France was the third estate, making up nearly 97% of the population. Members of this estate had few rights, and little political power. Life was difficult, and it was nearly impossible for them to get ahead. Members of the third estate were required to pay a 10% tithing to the Church, dues to their feudal lord, and a land tax to the king. This left them with little to support their families.

Nowhere was the divide between the wealthy and poor greater, than in France. The French Aristocracy was among the wealthiest individuals in all of Europe. They controlled vast tracts of land, huge amounts of money, and had power that was unchecked by a parliament as in Great Britain.

The inequality in distribution of powers and rights between these different estates was the main cause of the explosion of anger amongst Third estate representatives. There were very few opportunities for the general population to ascend the social ladder as all privileges were determined by birth and not by talent. The social mobility rights could be bought but it was impossible for the poorest to afford them.

All the main political decisions were taken arbitrarily by the King and his advisers, with little or no direct consultation with the rest of the French population. Added to this unfair and archaic political system, a terrible economic crisis pushed the poorest people closer to revolt.