7. What was the composition of the Third Estate of France? Why was there discontentment among its members?
Answers
Answer:
Louis XVI proved unworthy by neglecting the administration, imposing unequal taxation and reducing France to bankruptcy.
Explanation:
The Causes of the Discontent that Resulted in the French Revolution were as follows:
(a) The government of France was an absolute, divine right monarchy which could have worked efficiently under an able King. But Louis XVI proved unworthy by neglecting the administration, imposing unequal taxation and reducing France to bankruptcy.
(b) French people were divided into three social classes or Estates - (i) the First Estate (Clergy),
(ii) the Second Estate (nobility),
(iii) the Third Estate (middle classes and peasant). The first two Estates had many privileges and few responsibilities. The Third Estate paid most of the taxes and received few benefits.
(c) There was no personal liberty or justice, and no freedom of speech, press or religion. Trials were secret, without jury and anyone who displeased the King was imprisoned in Bastille. (d) The luxurious lifestyle of the Kings and nobility and their frequent wars forced them to impose unjust taxes on the common people and peasants who were least able to pay.
(e) The Middle Classes, though rich, had no political rights or social status and were often humiliated with inhuman treatment.
(f) All administrative and high positions in the army were monopolised by the first two Estates. (g) Due to the above reasons, the oppressed formed secret societies to begin a revolution to end the Old Regime