What was the estate general ? Which demand of the third e state did Lo...
**The Estates General**
The Estates General was a political body in France during the Ancien Régime. It was an assembly of representatives from the three estates: the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners. The purpose of the Estates General was to advise the king and discuss matters of national importance.
**Demand of the Third Estate**
The Third Estate, which represented the commoners, had several demands during the Estates General. They wanted to address the issues of taxation, representation, and social inequality. The Third Estate argued that they were the majority of the population and should have more power and influence in decision-making.
**Louis XVI's Rejection**
Louis XVI, the king of France at the time, rejected the demands of the Third Estate. He favored the clergy and nobility and was reluctant to make any significant changes that would challenge the existing social hierarchy. Louis XVI believed in absolute monarchy and resisted any attempts to limit his power or redistribute resources.
Specifically, the Third Estate demanded that each delegate in the Estates General have one vote, regardless of their estate. This would give the commoners a fair say in the decision-making process. However, Louis XVI rejected this demand and insisted on maintaining the traditional voting system, where each estate had one vote. This meant that the clergy and nobility, who comprised only a small portion of the population, could easily outvote the commoners.
By rejecting this demand, Louis XVI effectively denied the commoners a fair representation and perpetuated the inequalities that plagued French society. This decision further fueled the discontent and frustration of the Third Estate, eventually leading to the French Revolution.
In summary, the Estates General was a political body in France that represented the three estates. The Third Estate, representing the commoners, demanded equal representation and a fair voting system. Louis XVI rejected this demand, favoring the clergy and nobility. This rejection contributed to the growing unrest and ultimately led to the outbreak of the French Revolution.
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.