Discontent of the Third Estate
The 3rd Estate resented the privileges enjoyed by their social “betters”. The first two classes were reserved the best jobs and could buy political appointed positions. The Third Estate made up of about 27 million people (98% of the population). They owned 70% of the land. The Third Estate was made up of 3 diverse groups:
-The Bourgeoisie or the middle class. In this class it included prosperous bankers, merchants, and manufacturers. Controlled the majority of the 70% of the land in the 3rd Estate.
-The next part was the rural peasants who made up 9 out of 10 people in all of France, thus the largest group. They were very poor, and most were peasant farmers or day laborers.
-The poorest members of the French society were the Urban Workers. They were clothmakers, servants, construction workers, street sellers, and many of them were unemployed.
-The Bourgeoisie or the middle class. In this class it included prosperous bankers, merchants, and manufacturers. Controlled the majority of the 70% of the land in the 3rd Estate.
-The next part was the rural peasants who made up 9 out of 10 people in all of France, thus the largest group. They were very poor, and most were peasant farmers or day laborers.
-The poorest members of the French society were the Urban Workers. They were clothmakers, servants, construction workers, street sellers, and many of them were unemployed.