The Estates General was a legislative and consultative assembly in France until 1789, representing the three estates of the realm (clergy, nobility, and commoners).
Think of it like a school council meeting where each grade level is represented. The seniors (clergy), juniors (nobility), and everyone else (commoners) each have their own representative but not all voices are equally heard or respected.
First Estate: This term refers to the clergy in French society before the French Revolution.
Second Estate: This term refers to the nobility in French society before the French Revolution.
Third Estate: This term refers to common citizens or non-nobles in French society before the French Revolution.
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