Which estate comprised about 2% of the population and owned about 25% of the land?

Which estate comprised about 2% of the population and owned about 25% of the land?

• A. 1st Estate
• B. 2nd Estate
• C. 3rd Estate
• D. Sans Culottes

Answer: (B)

In pre-revolutionary France, society was divided into three estates. The group that accounted for about 2% of the population and owned roughly a quarter of the land was the nobility—the aristocracy. They held most of the political power and many privileges, including exemptions from certain taxes, and they often controlled large landholdings. The First Estate, the clergy, made up a smaller share of the population and owned some land but not as much as the nobility. The vast Third Estate included peasants, laborers, and the rising middle class, making up about 97% of the people and owning the remaining land; within it were urban workers like the Sans-Culottes, who were part of the Third Estate rather than a separate group. Therefore, the estate described is the nobility.

In pre-revolutionary France, society was divided into three estates. The group that accounted for about 2% of the population and owned roughly a quarter of the land was the nobility—the aristocracy. They held most of the political power and many privileges, including exemptions from certain taxes, and they often controlled large landholdings. The First Estate, the clergy, made up a smaller share of the population and owned some land but not as much as the nobility. The vast Third Estate included peasants, laborers, and the rising middle class, making up about 97% of the people and owning the remaining land; within it were urban workers like the Sans-Culottes, who were part of the Third Estate rather than a separate group. Therefore, the estate described is the nobility.