F.R. Primary Source readings

Abbé Emmanuel Sieyès: What Is the Third Estate?

Context and Background

  • The political climate in France leading up to 1789 was marked by economic hardship, bread riots, and intense debate about reform. King Louis XVI's decision to convene the Estates General for the first time since 1614 ignited protests, particularly from the Third Estate, which consisted largely of commoners.

  • The Third Estate challenged the traditional structure of the Estates General, which historically met separately and voted by order of estates (clergy, nobility, commoners), arguing for united deliberation and individual voting rights.

  • In January 1789, Abbé Emmanuel Sieyès published his influential pamphlet "What Is the Third Estate?", advocating for the cause of the Third Estate and playing a crucial role in the eventual transformation of the Estates General into the National Constituent Assembly.

Key Questions Raised by Sieyès

  1. What is the Third Estate?

    • Answer: Everything. The Third Estate comprises all those who contribute to society economically and socially, including farmers, craftsmen, merchants, and professionals.

  2. What has it been heretofore in the political order?

    • Answer: Nothing. Historically, the Third Estate has been sidelined, lacking political power and recognition, particularly in the decision-making processes of governance.

  3. What does it demand?

    • Answer: To become something of significance in the political order. The Third Estate seeks recognition and equality in representation, asserting its place as the backbone of the nation.

Classification of Society

  • Sieyès outlines a classification of society into distinct productive groups:

    1. Agricultural Producers - Families engaged in farming and vice versa.

    2. Industrial Producers - Those involved in processing and adding value to raw materials.

    3. Merchants and Dealers - Operate between production and consumption, facilitating trade and economy.

    4. Private Undertakings - Include various occupations, from domestic services to intellectual professions, contributing to society's sustenance and prosperity.

Argument Against the Privileged Classes

  • Sieyès argues that the privileged orders (First and Second Estates) contribute minimally to the welfare of the nation, asserting that their existence acts as a hindrance to progress. He claims that:

    • The nobility fails to fulfill societal roles that the Third Estate carries out, which include the essential and arduous tasks necessary for social function.

    • Their privileges enable a separate existence from national duties, rendering them a burden rather than an asset to society.

  • Explained through the notion of the Third Estate comprising the vast majority of France (nineteen-twentieths), Sieyès effectively portrays the Third Estate as vital to societal progress and governance.

Final Demands of the Third Estate

  • The Third Estate demands substantial reforms:

    • Increased representation in the Estates General, equal to that of the First and Second Estates combined.

    • A shift from voting by order to voting by head, ensuring that its numbers reflect its significance, thereby breaking the cycle of oppression by the privileged classes.

    • It calls for active participation and real representation in the legislative process, demanding an end to centuries of political nullity.

Conclusion

  • In his compelling narrative, Sieyès illustrates not only the grievances of the Third Estate but also their rightful claims to political power and societal recognition. His pamphlet serves as a foundational text for the revolutionary movements that followed, encapsulating the desire for equality and democracy in the face of direct aristocratic oppression.