Underprivileged people (the third state)

They made up 95% of the population They were divides into economic groups:

Bourgeoisie

• They had economic power, they were traders, bankers, manufacturers and professionals (lawyers and medical doctors for instance).
• They paid taxes and had no political representation.

Popular class.

• Urban workers, small traders and artisans, servants, workshop workers.

Peasants.

• They were the main group, most of the population before the Industrial Revolution worked as peasants, farmers without land who worked for a noble or a bishop.
• Their lives were very hard, they paid taxes, did not get paid for their work and always on the verge of starvation.

The system was so closed that social ascension was almost impossible, however it does not mean that some members of the bourgeoisie didn´t became nobles by marriage or by the king's favour.