1. Estates General & the Old Regime
France:
Estates General & the Old Regime

2. The Old Regime:
In the 1770s, the social and political system of France – the OLD REGIME – remained in place. Under this system, the people of France were divided into three large social classes, or estates.

3. The First Estate

4. The First Estate Consisted of:
Roman Catholic clergy, 1.0% of population
Paid no taxes!
Consisted of 2 major groups

5. The First Estate Upper Clergy: Archbishops & abbots Extravagant lives
Owned 10-15% of all French land

6. The First Estate Responsibilities: Record keeping
Tithe collection (10%)
Moral policies
Advised king

7. The First Estate Lower Clergy: Bishops & priests
Not quite as wealthy, more sympathetic to peasants

8. The First Estate Responsibilities: Ran schools Cared for the poor
(Resented luxurious lifestyle of upper clergy)

9. The Second Estate

10. The Second Estate Consisted of: Nobility, 2% of population
PAID NO TAXES!!
25-30% of land
Consisted of 2 groups…

11. The Second Estate Nobility of the Sword: Most prestigious group
Ancient lineage (heredity)

12. The Second Estate Nobility of the Robe: Less prestigious
Paid for government & military positions

13. The Second Estate Responsibilities:
Controlled forests, lakes and ponds
Restricted from farming; therefore, collected rent from peasants

14. The Third Estate

15. The Third Estate
Consisted of:
97% of population
PAID TAXES!!
3 groups

16. The Third Estate Bourgeoisie: Merchants, bankers, doctors, lawyers
4-5% of population
Owned 20% of land
No church, army or government positions

17. The Third Estate Sans-Culottes: “without knee pants”
Urban artisans & laborers
15% of population
Poor

18. The Third Estate Peasants: 80–85% of population Worked 30-40% of land
Could not hunt or fish
Taxed for almost everything (king, church, lord of the manor, goods, etc.)