USA HISTORY

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: -At the bottom of the Third Estate were the peasants. Almost all French peasants were poor. If they had work, they were laborers or tenant sharecroppers. Despite their financial status, they were required to pay taxes.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Third Estate comprised all other members of french society (the commoners). The vast majority of the population belonged to the Third Estate (roughly 98% of 27 million people). Despite its size, the Third Estate was largely excluded from political power until the creation of the National Assembly in June 1789.

Detailed explanation-4: -The political and financial situation in France had grown rather bleak, forcing Louis XVI to summon the Estates General. This assembly was composed of three estates – the clergy, nobility and commoners – who had the power to decide on the levying of new taxes and to undertake reforms in the country.