What were the three main groups of the Third Estate in France before the French Revolution? Explain their economic and social conditions briefly.
Answer:
Answer by Student
- The three main groups of the Third Estate were the peasants, the artisans and workers, and the middle class .
- The peasants were exploited by taxes and feudal dues , the artisans and workers were poor and oppressed , and the middle clas s were rich and educated but denied political rights .
- The Third Estate was dissatisfied with the existing social and political system and wanted a change .
Detailed Explanation by Teachoo
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The Third Estate was the largest and most diverse social group in France before the French Revolution. It consisted of about 98 per cent of the population and was divided into three main groups:
the peasants, the artisans and workers, and the middle class
.
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These groups had different economic and social conditions, but they all shared a common grievance against the existing system of privileges and inequalities.
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The
peasants
formed about 90 percent of the population and were the most exploited group. They had to pay heavy taxes to the state, the church and the nobles. They also had to perform feudal dues and services for their landlords. They lived in poverty and misery and often faced famines and diseases. They had no voice or representation in the Estates General, which was dominated by the First Estate (the clergy) and the Second Estate (the nobility).
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The
artisans and workers
lived in the towns and cities and worked as wage earners or small producers. They included carpenters, masons, shoemakers, tailors, bakers, etc. They had to pay high prices for food, rent and other necessities. They also had to pay taxes to the state and the town authorities. These included octroi (a tax on goods entering a town), gabelle (a tax on salt), aides (a tax on various items such as wine, tobacco, etc.), vingtieme (a tax on income), and capitation (a poll tax). They had no political rights or representation in the Estates General, which was controlled by the privileged classes. They were often discontented with their living conditions and resented the corruption and inefficiency of the government.
- The middle class consisted of merchants, bankers, lawyers, doctors, journalists, teachers and other professionals. They were rich and educated and owned property and businesses. They paid taxes to the state but not to the church or the nobles. They were influenced by the ideas of the Enlightenment, which advocated reason, liberty, equality and democracy. They demanded more political rights and freedoms from the monarchy. They wanted a constitutional government that would limit the power of the king and give them a greater say in decision-making. They also wanted a fairer system of taxation that would make everyone pay according to their ability.
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The
peasants
formed about 90 percent of the population and were the most exploited group. They had to pay heavy taxes to the state, the church and the nobles. They also had to perform feudal dues and services for their landlords. They lived in poverty and misery and often faced famines and diseases. They had no voice or representation in the Estates General, which was dominated by the First Estate (the clergy) and the Second Estate (the nobility).
- The Third Estate was dissatisfied with the existing social and political system in France before the French Revolution. They felt that they were being exploited and oppressed by the privileged classes who enjoyed many exemptions and advantages. They also felt that they were being ignored and marginalized by the monarchy who ruled without consulting them or respecting their interests. They wanted a change in the system that would make it more democratic, equitable and responsive to their needs. They wanted to end feudalism, absolutism and privileges and establish a new order based on liberty, equality and fraternity.
