... divided into three states, two privileged The First Estate comprised the clergy. The Lower Clergy related more to the Lower Estates. The First Estate numbered around 100 000. The Second Estate was for the nobility. The Third Estate was made up of the bourgeoisie, wage earners and the peasantry. They were the majority of the population. The first two states enjoyed privileges over the Third Estate and the Commoners were left behind. Economic Inefficiencies of Feudal Survivals (tolls, guilds) There was great need for taxation reform in France before the Revolution. The inefficiency of only taxing the lower estate showed in the Government's budgets. Financial Difficulties grew under Louis XIV and Louis XV Due to over ambitious wars and extravagant spending on courts, Louis XIV and Louis XV had been successful in helping to bankrupt France. The worst war was the Seven Years War as this economically drained France and saw France lose most ...

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