Comprising the Catholic Church, they owned roughly 10% of French land and were exempt from most taxes. They provided social services like education and healthcare but were often criticized for the vast wealth held by higher-ranking bishops.
By the late 18th century, several factors converged to destabilize the regime: ancien regime
This group held the highest positions in government, the military, and the courts. They owned about 25% of the land and enjoyed significant tax exemptions and the right to collect feudal dues from peasants. Comprising the Catholic Church, they owned roughly 10%
The Ancien Régime (Old Regime) refers to the social and political system of the Kingdom of France from the Late Middle Ages until the French Revolution of 1789. It was characterized by a rigid hierarchical structure, an absolute monarchy, and a complex web of feudal privileges that ultimately became unsustainable under the weight of economic crisis and Enlightenment ideals. The Social Hierarchy: The Three Estates They owned about 25% of the land and
Making up 98% of the population, this group included wealthy bourgeois merchants, urban workers, and rural peasants. Despite their numbers and economic contribution, they bore the brunt of the nation's taxation and had virtually no political voice. Political Absolute Monarchy
Massive debt from wars (including support for the American Revolution) and a series of poor harvests led to widespread famine and skyrocketing bread prices.
The nobility and clergy consistently blocked attempts at tax reform, leaving the monarchy unable to solve its financial woes without further burdening the already starving Third Estate. Conclusion