Which of the grievances of the Third Estates in France in 1789 were the most important?

        To begin with, the members of the Third Estate believed that the social structure, besides of being based on custom and tradition, it was also based on inequalities which were sanctioned by the force of the law. There was a profound division between the rich and the poor. Being part of the Third Estate meant to be part of the unprivileged classes. Therefore, they were the ones who paid taxes. Although the bourgeoisie were mostly rich and were able to pay them, there also existed a number of poor bourgeoisie but, most importantly, the peasants who were not in the same financial situation as the first ones. Peasants were burdened by heavy taxation. They paid taxes to the king, to the church, taxes and dues to the lord of the manor, as well as numerous taxes on salt, bread and wine. Consequently, they claimed that there should be more financial equality. They claimed for the abolition of many taxes such as the corvée and the taille. What is more, some members of the Second Estate, the curés, had more sympathy with the Third Estate and agreed with this point. They criticized pluralism and lavishness of the upper clergy. Additionally, the bourgeoisie, especially the rich bourgeoisie, claimed for the inviolability of private property.

        Secondly, there were the intellectual bourgeoisie who looked for more participation in politics. “The Third Estate took over the cause and became known as the party of patriots. Pamphlets poured out from the radical clubs and societies. They claimed the right to form an assembly […]".Bourgeoisie lack of interest was vanishing. They wanted representative assemblies to introduce reforms. “They expected a voice for themselves.” They looked forward to an assembly that would regularly meet and control taxation. “ ..each Estate favoured…an assembly powers to pass laws and to control taxation”. “The Estates-General should meet regularly and should control taxation.”

        Finally, the Third Estate desired a constitution that would limit the king’s powers. Although they rejected absolutism, they still wanted king Louis XVI to rule but there should exist a “parliament” that would control his authority. “There was universal condemnation of absolute rule [...]”. “…and to discuss a new constitution to safeguard the national interest”. “The cahiers from each Estate favoured a new constitutional arrangement that would give an assembly powers to pass laws and to control taxation.” Moreover, they sought for the abolitions of the lettres de cachet. They claimed fair trial as well as religious toleration. “Over two-third of nobles and the Third Estate agreed that lettres de cachet should be abolished.”

        To sum up, the most important grievances of the Third Estate in 1789 concern to financial equality and inviolability of private possession, the establishment of a constitution where it would create an assembly which would control the king powers and the taxation system, and finally, the abolition of the letters de cachet that would lead to fair trials and religious toleration.