How The French Revolution Changed French Society

The French Revolution was a very important time in European history. It changed the French society forever. The French Revolution took place in 1789 with many events that had led up to the revolt. France was going through financial debt, and taxes were being raised significantly. (Sargent and Velde 474). During this time period, the social classes were split up into three groups, also known as Estates. The First Estate was the Clergy, the Second Estate included the nobility of France, and the Third Estate was made up of all the commoners (Berdine np). When the Estates were called to a meeting to discuss the debt going on throughout France, and the raising taxes, the Third Estate broke away from the First and Second, and formed the National Assembly (Sargent and Velde 475). When the National Assembly was formed it began the beginning of the French Revolution. The Third Estate, or the National Assembly, was a very important contribute to the French Revolution. Even though the Third Estate made up most of the population, those who were in it
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen is one of the basic liberties that was a result of the French Revolution. The National Assembly had put together the seventeen articles contained in the declaration (The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica np). The first article in the declaration states, “1. Men are born and remain free and equal in rights. Social distinctions may be founded only upon the general good” (Declaration of the Rights of Man - 1789 np). This article is significant because it states how all people should be free and have equal rights. The Third Estate was never granted equal rights until this declaration was passed. As stated previously, the Third Estate did not have the same rights as the First and Second Estate being as they had to pay incredibly high taxes, unlike the First and