During the French Revolution, French society was divided into three estates:
1. The First Estate was the clergy. The clergy were responsible for religious affairs and held a great deal of power and influence in French society.
2. The Second Estate was the nobility. The nobility were the upper class of French society and held many of the most powerful positions in government and the military.
3. The Third Estate was the common people. The Third Estate included everyone who was not a member of the clergy or the nobility. This included peasants, merchants, artisans, and factory workers.
The Third Estate was the largest of the three estates, but it had the least amount of power and influence. The members of the Third Estate were often poor and had little access to education or opportunity. They were also subject to heavy taxes and oppressive laws.
The French Revolution was in part a reaction to the injustices of the three-estate system. The revolutionaries sought to create a more equal society where all citizens had the same rights and opportunities. The revolution led to the overthrow of the monarchy and the creation of a republic.