The First Estate was the Church. During the ancien regime, the church was equal in terms of its social, economic, and spiritual power. ... The bourgeoisie, or the middle class, were by far, the wealthiest. ... Poor farm harvests by farmers hurt the economy, and trade rules from the Middle Ages still survived, making trade difficult. ... These costs greatly increased the national debt, which was, at the time, already too high. ...

• Word Count: 2218
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: High School

Since the prices were so high many commoners couldn't even afford to live and this resulted in the commoners playing a significant role in the French Revolution. ... Since the middle ages France has been divided into Three Estates. ... The nobility held many of the top positions in the government, military, law and higher church offices. ... "It went on to affirm the destruction of aristocratic privileges by eliminating exemptions from taxation, freedom and equal rights for all men, and access to public office". (389) With this new government the Middle class received a great boost but...

• Word Count: 1307
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School