identify and discuss tensions between the three estates that may have contributed to revolutionaries sentiment in 18th century france
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Answer:
During the latter half of the 18th century, France was in a severe economic crisis. The state was nearly bankrupt due to high levels of expenditure incurred in Seven Years War against the British. As a result, the French king Louis XVI was forced the called the Estates General in order to acquire authority to impose new taxes on the French people.
The Estates general consisted of members of the three estates of France; the clergy, the aristocracy and the common people. However, French society was very unequal and the first two estates (the clergy and the aristocracy) did not pay any taxes. The entire burden of taxes fell on the third estate consisting of peasants and business people. Therefore, naturally, when the king called the Estates General, the members of the third estate were not happy to be called upon to bear the burden of more taxes. They refused to sanction new taxes unless they were granted social equality and greater political power.
This led to the French Revolution in which the Third Estate decided to overthrow the old social and political order in France and establish a new system based on equality and freedom. It was a direct consequence of the financial crisis that forced Louis XVI to call the Estates General to raise new taxes and the social inequality which would have forced the third estate to bear the entire burden of that tax.