R2218th

1789 Abby Sieyes, “What is the Third Estate?” The shift in social structures from hierarchical orders to modern social classes: the changing distribution of wealth and poverty

When the Estates General met, the Three Estates, divided into Nobles, Clergy, and everyone else, were united under a new goal of government but disunited under many other conditions. The primary issue of voting and power, not only in the meeting but society as well was raised. In 1789, Abby Sieyes, a representative of the Third Estate, wrote, “What is the Third Estate?” Here he questioned the traditional classes and called for an equality of the third estate peasants and middle classes equal to that of the clergy and nobles. This represents a changing movement and belief of social classes. The middle and lower classes had begun to realize their power and majority in society and wished to reap the benefits of it from the undeserving nobles. Mckay, Hill, Buckler, John, Bennet, John. //A History of Western Society//. 7. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2003.