The French people belonged one of the three classes, or estates. Each estate had its own place in French society.
The First Estate was made up of members of the Church(the clergy). In 1789 the French Church was very important. It owned about one tenth of the land in France and some of its leaders, such as Cardinal Fleury, played a very important part in the government.
The Second Estate was made up of nobles of France. In 1789 there were about 40,000 nobles in France. They owned one third of the land. The older noble families had served the king for centuries in battle, at court and government jobs. The Third Estate comprised most of the population, ranging from rich businessmen and professionals to poor peasants. The member of this estate had no privileges and played no part in running the country. They need to pay most taxes.
The First Estate was made up of members of the Church(the clergy). In 1789 the French Church was very important. It owned about one tenth of the land in France and some of its leaders, such as Cardinal Fleury, played a very important part in the government.
The Second Estate was made up of nobles of France. In 1789 there were about 40,000 nobles in France. They owned one third of the land. The older noble families had served the king for centuries in battle, at court and government jobs. The Third Estate comprised most of the population, ranging from rich businessmen and professionals to poor peasants. The member of this estate had no privileges and played no part in running the country. They need to pay most taxes.