The Three Estates of Pre-revolutionary France

Illustration

Simeon Netchev
by
published on 16 September 2024
Subscribe to author
The Three Estates of Pre-revolutionary France Download Full Size Image

The Three Estates of pre-revolutionary France were the hierarchical social divisions that structured society under the Ancien Régime (French for "Old Regime," a term coined after the French Revolution to describe the pre-revolutionary system of government and society).

  • The First Estate consisted of the clergy, who held significant influence, controlled vast wealth, and were exempt from most taxes.
  • The Second Estate comprised the nobility, who enjoyed privileges such as tax exemptions and held key positions in government and the military.
  • The Third Estate comprised the commoners, including peasants, laborers, and the bourgeoisie (middle class), who shouldered the bulk of taxation.

This social order had roots in medieval feudalism. Still, by the late 18th century, it had become increasingly outdated and unjust, leading to widespread discontent that ultimately contributed to the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789.

Remove Ads
Advertisement
Subscribe to this author

About the Author

Simeon Netchev
Simeon is a freelance visual designer with a deep interest in the human side of history. He believes that every image should be an interaction, a commentary, and a narrative, and every map should lead on an exciting journey of exploration and discovery.

Cite This Work

APA Style

Netchev, S. (2024, September 16). The Three Estates of Pre-revolutionary France. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/19448/the-three-estates-of-pre-revolutionary-france/

Chicago Style

Netchev, Simeon. "The Three Estates of Pre-revolutionary France." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified September 16, 2024. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/19448/the-three-estates-of-pre-revolutionary-france/.

MLA Style

Netchev, Simeon. "The Three Estates of Pre-revolutionary France." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 16 Sep 2024. Web. 19 Sep 2024.

Membership