Jonah Patel
The Third Estate, representing the common people of France, played a pivotal role in shaping the political landscape during the French Revolution. Their demands for greater representation and equality culminated in the publication of Emmanuel Sieyès' influential pamphlet, What is the Third Estate?. In it, Sieyès argued that the Third Estate constituted the entire population and should thus replace the other two estates, the clergy and aristocracy. This sparked national debates about the formation and powers of the Estates General, with the Third Estate seeking to restructure voting to give each member one vote instead of the traditional one vote per estate. King Louis XVI rejected these demands, refusing to relinquish power and attempting to preserve the status quo. The Third Estate's aspirations for a written constitution that limited monarchical powers and ensured equal voting rights were instrumental in the formation of the National Assembly and the drafting of a new constitution.
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What You'll Learn
- The Third Estate demanded equal voting rights for their delegates to the national legislature
- The Third Estate wanted voting to be done by the entire assembly, with each member having one vote
- The Third Estate sought greater political representation and to replace the other two estates
- The Third Estate wanted to limit the powers of the monarch
- The Third Estate wanted to abolish the first and second estates of the clergy and aristocracy
The Third Estate demanded equal voting rights for their delegates to the national legislature
The Third Estate, also known as the common people of France, felt that they were underrepresented and sought to have the same voting rights as the other two estates: the nobility and the clergy. They believed that each member of the assembly should have one vote, rather than each estate having one vote. This would give them greater power and influence in decision-making, particularly regarding taxation, as they could refuse to approve taxes levied against them by the other two estates.
The demand for equal voting rights was not a new one. It had been a topic of discussion and debate for some time, with the Third Estate arguing that they represented the entire population and thus should have equal representation. This demand was supported and popularised by Emmanuel Sieyès' influential pamphlet, "Qu'est-ce que le Tiers-État?" ("What is the Third Estate?") Published in January 1789, shortly before the outbreak of the French Revolution, the pamphlet argued that the Third Estate was the true nation and that the other two estates were unnecessary. It urged its readers not to accept compromises and to demand equal representation.
Despite the growing support for equal voting rights, the King, Louis XVI, rejected the Third Estate's demands. He believed that granting universal suffrage would cause division among the people and weaken the power of the nobility and the clergy. The King attempted to resist the reorganisation of the Estates General, even going so far as to dissolve the First National Assembly on August 26, 1789. However, the Third Estate persisted in their demands, and the issue of representation remained a key point of contention during the French Revolution.
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The Third Estate wanted voting to be done by the entire assembly, with each member having one vote
The Third Estate's demand for a written constitution was influenced by Emmanuel Joseph Sieyès' pamphlet, "Qu'est-ce que le Tiers-État?" ("What is the Third Estate?"). Sieyès argued that the Third Estate, comprising France's common people, was the nation's only legitimate estate as it represented the entire population. He urged the Third Estate to demand a constitution and greater political representation.
The Third Estate wanted voting to be conducted by the entire assembly, with each member having one vote. This was a significant departure from the traditional arrangement, where each estate had one vote. The Third Estate sought to challenge the influence of the First and Second Estates, comprised of the clergy and aristocracy, respectively. They believed that the clergy and nobility were more conservative and could overrule their interests.
The Third Estate's demand for equal voting rights was rejected by King Louis XVI, who feared it would cause division among the people and dilute the power of the First and Second Estates. The King attempted to resist this reorganization, but the Third Estate persisted, eventually forming the National Assembly and drafting a new constitution.
The National Assembly, comprised primarily of the Third Estate, worked to limit the power of the monarchy and establish a more democratic system. They demanded that voting be structured by the assembly, with each member having one vote, ensuring that decisions were made by a majority vote. This would prevent the First and Second Estates from overruling the Third Estate on matters of taxation and legislation.
The Third Estate's demands for equal voting rights and a written constitution were driven by their desire for greater political representation and a more democratic society. By challenging the traditional power structures, they sought to shape a government that better represented the interests of the common people of France.
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The Third Estate sought greater political representation and to replace the other two estates
The Third Estate, representing the common people of France, sought greater political representation and to replace the other two estates. This desire for increased representation was influenced by Emmanuel Sieyès' pamphlet, "Qu'est-ce que le Tiers-État?" ("What is the Third Estate?"). Sieyès argued that the Third Estate constituted the entire population and was the nation itself, doing most of the nation's work. Thus, he asserted that the Third Estate should have equal representation with the other two estates combined and that voting should be conducted by head, with each member having one vote, rather than by order, which favoured the other two estates.
The Third Estate's demands for greater representation were fuelled by the uncertainty surrounding the composition and operation of the Estates General, which had not met since 1614 and lacked consistent structures and procedures. In the lead-up to the Estates General's convening in 1789, there was a national discussion about its formation, operation, and powers. Sieyès' pamphlet, with its arguments for the sovereignty of the nation and the legitimacy of the Third Estate, played a pivotal role in shaping the demands and aspirations of the Third Estate.
The Third Estate sought to replace the traditional arrangement where the clergy and nobility, being more conservative, could overrule them on any matter with a two-thirds majority. They demanded that the estates meet as one body and that each delegate, regardless of their estate, have one vote. This proposal was rejected by King Louis XVI, who believed it would cause division among the people and weaken the influence of the first and second estates.
The Third Estate's desire for greater representation culminated in their decision to break away and form the National Assembly, where they passed laws allowing for elections for the national legislature and the organisation of legislative councils. They also drafted a new constitution, which was never approved by the King, that aimed to limit the powers of the monarchy. The Third Estate's actions and demands during this period were instrumental in shaping the course of the French Revolution and challenging the existing power dynamics.
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The Third Estate wanted to limit the powers of the monarch
The Third Estate's demands for a written constitution were shaped by Emmanuel Joseph Sieyès' pamphlet, "Qu'est-ce que le Tiers-État?" ("What is the Third Estate?"). Published in January 1789, shortly before the French Revolution, Sieyès' work argued that the Third Estate, comprising France's common people, was the nation's only legitimate estate. Sieyès urged the Third Estate to demand a constitution and greater political representation.
The Third Estate's efforts to limit monarchical power were driven by their desire for equal voting rights and representation. They sought to replace the traditional arrangement, where each estate had one vote, with a system where each member of the assembly had an individual vote. This change would empower the Third Estate, which constituted about 7% of the population but accounted for nearly 50% of the land area, to refuse or approve taxes levied by the other estates.
The monarch and the first and second estates resisted these demands, leading to a stalemate. Eventually, the king yielded to the Third Estate's demands, but it was seen as a concession forced from the monarchy rather than a goodwill gesture. The new constitution drafted by the States-General, which replaced the old one issued by Louis XIV in 1682, was never approved or published in full by the king. Instead, it was distributed in summary form with added explanations from the States-General members.
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The Third Estate wanted to abolish the first and second estates of the clergy and aristocracy
The Third Estate, representing the common people of France, sought to abolish the first and second estates of the clergy and aristocracy. This desire for a more democratic political system was influenced by Emmanuel Joseph Sieyès' pamphlet, "Qu'est-ce que le Tiers-État?" ("What is the Third Estate?"). Sieyès argued that the Third Estate constituted a complete nation within itself and did not need the first and second estates. He urged the Third Estate to demand a constitution and greater political representation.
The Third Estate's desire to abolish the first and second estates stemmed from their belief that the clergy and nobility held too much power and were more conservative than the commoners. They wanted to replace the traditional arrangement, where each estate had one vote, with a system where each member of the assembly had one vote. This would give the Third Estate, which made up about 7% of the population but accounted for nearly 50% of the land area, more power.
The Third Estate's demands for a written constitution and equal voting rights were repeatedly rejected by King Louis XVI. The King believed that granting universal suffrage would cause division among the people and weaken the influence of the first and second estates. However, due to the growing support for the Third Estate and the influence of Sieyès' pamphlet, the King eventually yielded to their demands, but it was seen as a concession rather than a goodwill gesture.
The Third Estate played a significant role in shaping the French Revolution. They formed the National Assembly, which drafted a new constitution to replace the old one issued by Louis XIV in 1682. This new constitution aimed to limit the power of the monarchy and establish a more democratic political system in France. The National Assembly also passed laws allowing for elections and the organisation of legislative councils.
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Frequently asked questions
The Third Estate was comprised of France's common people, including men who provided military service, served on juries, held public offices, and worked in royal factories. It is estimated that it contained about 7% of the population but accounted for nearly 50% of the land area.
The Third Estate demanded equal voting rights for their delegates to the national legislature. They wanted the estates to meet as one body and for each delegate to have one vote. They also wanted greater political representation and a constitution that would limit the powers of the monarch.
The King and the other two estates refused to accept the Third Estate's demands. The King believed that giving the Third Estate voting rights would cause division among the people and weaken the prominence of the other two estates.
The Third Estate became the National Assembly and passed laws allowing for elections for the national legislature and organizing legislative councils. They drafted a new constitution which was to replace the old one issued by Louis XIV in 1682. This new constitution was never approved by the King or published in full.
