USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Peasants inhabited the bottom tier of the Third Estate’s social hierarchy. Comprising between 82 and 88 per cent of the population, peasant-farmers were the nation’s poorest social class. While levels of wealth and income varied, it is reasonable to suggest that most French peasants were poor.

Detailed explanation-2: -Peasants typically made up the majority of the agricultural labour force in a pre-industrial society. The majority of the people-according to one estimate 85% of the population-in the Middle Ages were peasants.

Detailed explanation-3: -The 2nd Estate consisted of the Nobles, representing about 2% of the population. Members of the 2nd Estate also owned approximately 20% of the land, which was another symbol of wealth and status in France. Nobles could be high ranking members of government or even family members of Louis XVI.

Detailed explanation-4: -Peasants formed the largest group within the Third Estate, more than 80 per-cent of France’s 26 million people. Peasants paid about half their income in dues to nobles, tithes to the Church, and taxes to the king’s agents.