Pre-Revolutionary France

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Ancien Régime

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The name for the social and political system of France before the French Revolution.

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Three Estates

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The social and political classes of pre-revolutionary France.

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First Estate

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The clergy of the Roman Catholic Church. This group made up less than 1% of the population but owned a significant portion of the land and paid very few taxes.

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Second Estate

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The nobility. This group also accounted for a small percentage of the population and held high positions in the military and government while being exempt from many taxes.

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Third Estate

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The commoners, who made up about 97% of the population. This diverse group included peasants, urban workers, and the middle class (bourgeoisie).

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Bourgeoisie

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The urban middle class within the Third Estate, which included merchants, professionals, and manufacturers. They were often educated and wealthy but lacked the privileges of the nobles.

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Estates-General

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The legislative body of France, which included representatives from all three estates. The king rarely called it into session.

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Cahiers de Doléances

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The notebooks of grievances and suggestions for reform that representatives of each estate brought to the Estates-General of 1789.