The First Estate
This estate was made up of the clergy or The Roman Catholic Church officials which were only 1% of the people and owned 10-20% of the land. They paid no taxes and populated 1/3 of representatives in the Estates General (parliament). Obtained exclusive access to high government and were exempt from most taxes.
The Second Estate
This estate was made up of nobles or wealthy people who were 2% of the people that had the better jobs in France and owned 35% of land. The nobles paid almost very little taxes and populated 1/3 of representatives in the Estates General (parliament). Nobles had the opportunity to high government and were exempt from most taxes.
The Third Estate
This estate was made up of 97% of the people like poor peasants, workers, the middle class consisting of doctors, lawyers, merchants, and business managers, and a rich middle class called the bourgeoisie. This social class owned 55% of land, paid most or half of the taxes, made up 1/3 of representatives in the Estates General, and had no special rights or little political power than the clergy and nobles.