Inequality in the Ancien Regime
Monarchy
Clergy
Laity
Aristocracy
Taxed heavily
Often overruled by the two privileged orders (First and Second Estates). Formed the National Assembly in 1789.
Composed 97% of the French population
Alongside the nobility (aristocracy), the clergy held massive amounts of French land. They were one of the two privileged orders and held power in French society.
Ancien Regime
The ancien régime (former regime) was the political and social system of France before 1789 when the French Revolution began.
Highlighting Inequality: In many aspects, the Third Estate held the first two Estates up. This political cartoon depicts the First and Second Estate on the back of the 97%, the Third Estate. As Sieyes once said, "What is the Third Estate? Everything. What has it been heretofore in the political order? Nothing. What does it demand? To become something."
Noble Resurgence: The nobles asserted power under the weak Louis XVI, obtaining more power than under Louis XIV
Louis XVI was an indecisive and weak king, which led to many issues in the French economy.
Assembly of Notables: Louis XVI pleaded with the nobility and aristocracy to tax them. The "notables" responded with a flat-out "no" and encouraged calling of the Estates-General
Reason for Taxes: The French economy was almost destroyed pre-Revolution, with almost insane budgeting which, for example, sent 6% of French revenue to maintain Versailles. Part of the reason for the massive debt incurred by the French government was assistance to the Americans in their revolution against the British.
Estates-General
Advisory council for the King with no formal authority
Outdated, France had changed but the Estates-General had not
Structure: The three estates held one vote each, even though the first two comprised only 3% of the French population. Agreement between the first two estates could overrule the third estate.
