The Collapse Of France's Three-Estate System

Socio-economic tensions were the main reason for the collapse of royal authority in France in 1789. Although other factors such as religion, enlightenment and also short-term mistakes are often blamed for the collapse of royal authority in France in 1789.

The three-estate system was the social hierarchy in which French citizens had to live simply based on which estate they were born into. It was created with each of the three estates or the three sections in society having the power to decide on important factors within the country such as deciding on the levying of new taxes and undertaking reforms in the country

The three-estate system or the estates of the realm contained three estates, the first estate being the clergy, the second estate

During the French Revolution, the people were trying to overthrow this system completely. This was because they had an absolute monarchy meaning that the king had complete control over both its people and the country. This started with Louis XIV who had claimed more power for the monarchy overall through a “paternal control of affairs” which would see Louis XIV as an all-powerful being that had been chosen by God. Not only that but because of the divine right of Kings, it would make Louis XIV the interpreter of the law and the fount of justice within the state of France. Louis XIV’s move to Versailles was a key turning point for the king's popularity. This was because he wanted to further separate himself from the 3rd estate and alienate the 2nd estate in the

The Nine Years' War or the War of the League of Augsburg from 1688 to 1697 was the expansionist plans of Louis XIV. In total 1 billion livres was spent causing a disproportionate strain on the 3rd estate. To finance this war Louis XIV introduced the capitation in 1695, meaning a universal tax placed on everyone without exception. The second estate was enraged as it meant they were no longer exempt from paying taxes. This also saw a major increase in the sale of venal office holders which further angered the second estate. The 3rd was also angered as it created more of a financial burden on top of them as they also had to pay other taxes on top of this. Within this was the Tyranny of the Bread causing many riots during the nine years war. Bread at the time was ½ of the family's budget for someone who was in the 3rd estate, so as the cost of bread increased it caused them to spend less money on other essentials they need to live. Between 1690-1730 there were 182 food riots, and then from 1760 to 1789, there were 652 riots based on food. This was because the grain yield had slowly decreased from 8:1 in the 1660s to 4:1 in the 1680s. The War of Spanish Succession further damaged the French economy and social position after King Louis XIV placed Philip of Anjou, his nephew, on the throne in Spain. This occurred from 1701 to 1714. This war led to a new