For more than 100 years, France had been the most powerful and largest country in Europe during the 1800s. They seemed to be very stable, however it was just their outer appearance. Beneath the stability, lay seeds of revolution. Reforms were needed to satisfy and correct many issues the French held. The most important causes of the French Revolution were social issues, financial issues, and the influence of the Enlightenment.
             One of the most important causes of the French Revolution were the social issues. The French society was divided among three classes: the First Estate, the Second Estate, and the Third Estate. The First Estate contained the clergy which made up 1% of the population; the Second Estate contained the nobles which made up 2% of the population; the Third Estate contained the middle class, peasants, and city workers which made up 97% of the population (doc.2). The estate to which one belonged to determined the person's rights and power. The Third Estate held much of the population, however they did not get the same rights as the other two estates and many believed it was unjust. Since the Third Estate had more people, it is reasonable to say that they should be given more votes. However they did not. "...because of its numbers its votes in the assembly should be taken by head..." (doc.3). Since the Third Estate's population is so great in number, then it is permissible for them to get more votes. The population of the other two estates were minute compared to the Third Estate and yet all three estates were only allowed one vote each. The First and Second Estates were privileged classes, while the Third Estate had no privileges at all. The Third Estate was the most discontent class. They were left to barley survive, while the clergy and nobility of the other two estates lived extravagant lives. This caused the Third Estate to strongly resent th
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