why did the members of the third estate walk out of the estates genera...
**Background:**
The Estates General was a representative assembly in France that consisted of three estates or classes: the clergy (First Estate), the nobility (Second Estate), and the common people (Third Estate). It was called in 1789 by Louis XVI to address the financial crisis and other pressing issues in France. Each estate had one vote, and traditionally decisions were made by a majority vote of the three estates.
**The Grievances of the Third Estate:**
The members of the Third Estate, representing the common people, had several grievances that led them to walk out of the Estates General assembly:
1. **Unequal Representation:** Despite making up about 98% of the population, the Third Estate was given the same number of representatives as the First and Second Estates combined. This meant that they were consistently outvoted by the other two estates.
2. **The Voting System:** The Third Estate demanded a fairer voting system where decisions would be made by a majority vote of the total number of representatives, rather than by estate. They believed this would better represent the interests of the majority.
3. **Social and Economic Inequality:** The Third Estate was burdened by heavy taxes and feudal dues, while the nobility and clergy enjoyed numerous privileges and exemptions. They called for an end to these inequalities and for a fair distribution of taxes.
4. **Economic Crisis:** France was facing a severe economic crisis with widespread poverty, high food prices, and unemployment. The Third Estate sought solutions to alleviate the suffering and improve living conditions for the common people.
**The Formation of the National Assembly:**
Frustrated by the refusal of the First and Second Estates to address their grievances, the members of the Third Estate decided to take matters into their own hands. On June 17, 1789, they declared themselves the National Assembly, representing the legitimate voice of the French people.
**The Tennis Court Oath:**
On June 20, 1789, the members of the National Assembly found the doors to their usual meeting place locked. Undeterred, they moved to a nearby indoor tennis court where they took an oath not to disband until a new constitution was established for France. This event, known as the Tennis Court Oath, marked a significant turning point in the French Revolution.
**Conclusion:**
The members of the Third Estate walked out of the Estates General assembly in 1789 due to their grievances of unequal representation, an unfair voting system, social and economic inequalities, and the pressing economic crisis. Their actions led to the formation of the National Assembly and the subsequent events that unfolded throughout the French Revolution.
why did the members of the third estate walk out of the estates genera...
Voting in third estate general in the past had been conducted according to the principal that each state had one vote this time to Louis XVI was determined to continue the practice but member of third estate demanded that now be conducted by the Assembly as a whole each member would have one vote this was one of the democratic principle put forward by philosophers like to see in his book the social contract when the king rejected this proposal member of third estate walked out of the Assembly to protest
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed Class 9 study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in Class 9.