The origins of the French Revolution, 1774–1789 key terms

Estates-General

A legislative assembly in France representing the three estates: clergy, nobility, and commoners, convened by the king to address issues such as taxation.

Tiers État

The Third Estate, which comprised the common people of France, including peasants, urban workers, and the bourgeoisie, who were burdened by taxes and lacked political power.

Philosophes

French thinkers and writers of the Enlightenment who advocated for reason, science, and intellectual interchange.

Liberty, Equality, Fraternity

The motto of the French Revolution, representing the core values that inspired the revolutionaries.

National Debt

The total amount of money that a country's government has borrowed and not yet repaid, which was a significant issue for France leading up to the Revolution.

Third Estate

The social class in France that included commoners, which made up the majority of the population and bore the brunt of taxation, leading to discontent.

Financial Crisis

A situation in which the government faces severe budget deficits and is unable to meet its financial obligations, leading to calls for reform.

Social Inequality

The unequal distribution of resources and privileges among different social classes, particularly evident in pre-revolutionary France.