The Third Estate was a crucial component of French society before and during the French Revolution. Here are some key points about the Third Estate:

Composition

• Commoners: The Third Estate comprised about 98% of the population, including peasants, urban workers, and the bourgeoisie (middle class).
• Tax Burden: Despite being the majority, the Third Estate bore the brunt of taxation, while the First Estate (clergy) and the Second Estate (nobility) enjoyed various privileges and exemptions.

Role in the Revolution

• Estates-General: In May 1789, King Louis XVI convened the Estates-General to address the financial crisis. The Third Estate, feeling underrepresented, declared itself the National Assembly, marking the beginning of the revolution.
• Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen: The Third Estate played a key role in drafting this foundational document, which proclaimed liberty, equality, and fraternity.

Impact

• Abolition of Feudal Privileges: The Third Estate’s actions led to the abolition of feudal privileges and the establishment of a more equitable society.
• Formation of the National Assembly: The transformation of the Third Estate into the National Assembly was a pivotal moment in the revolution, leading to the eventual downfall of the monarchy.

The Third Estate’s struggle for representation and equality was a driving force behind the French Revolution, ultimately leading to significant social and political changes in France.