USA HISTORY

MAKING OF A NEW NATION 1776 1800

THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
What percentage of the French population were members of the 3rd Estate?
A
100%
B
65%
C
25%
D
97%
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -The Third Estate was made up of everyone else, from peasant farmers to the bourgeoisie – the wealthy business class. While the Second Estate was only 1% of the total population of France, the Third Estate was 96%, and had none of the rights and priviliges of the other two estates.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Third Estate: made up 97 percent of the population. This estate was made up of three diverse groups. First Group-Bourgeoisie or middle class: this group was bankers, factory owners, merchants, and professionals. Well educated and believed in the Enlightenment ideals.

Detailed explanation-3: -– The peasants, who alone constituted 75 to 80% of the total population, were by far the largest segment of the Third Estate.

Detailed explanation-4: -This system was known as the “Old Regime” and “The Estates System.” The poorest 97% of the country was in the 3rd estate and paid about 50% of their income in taxes. The other two estates were made up of nobles and clergy members (people who work for the Church) they paid less than 1% of the taxes in France.

Detailed explanation-5: -The Third Estate included the bourgeoisie, or middle class, and peasants. But here was the problem: The top two estates were just 2% of the population, and the bourgeoisie and peasants made up 98 percent. This meant that for every 100 people in France, two were wealthy and 98 were middle class or poor.

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