USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -In the Estates General Meeting of 5 May 1789, the Third Estate was represented by 600 members while the First and Second Estates had a total of 300 representatives. Together they formed the Estates-General, a political body that represented members of all the three estates.

Detailed explanation-2: -The First Estate consisted of members of the Catholic Church (the clergy). The Second Estate consisted of members of the aristocracy (the nobility). The Third Estate comprised all other members of french society (the commoners).

Detailed explanation-3: -The number of delegates elected was about 1, 200, half of whom formed the Third Estate. The First and Second Estates had 300 each.

Detailed explanation-4: -The First and Second Estates enjoyed certain privileges that the Third Estate did not. Firstly, although they were the richest, they did not have to pay taxes. They were also the only members in society who could hold positions of importance such as Officers in the military.

Detailed explanation-5: -1. The Third Estate contained around 27 million people or 98 per cent of the nation. This included every French person who did not have a noble title or was not ordained in the church.