How did the involvement of the Third Estate in the Estates General reflect the social hierarchy of France?

The involvement of the Third Estate in the Estates General indeed highlights their role as the most oppressed and least powerful group within the social hierarchy of France during the late 18th century. The Third Estate was composed of commoners, including peasants, city workers, and the bourgeoisie, who were significantly more numerous than the other two estates, the clergy (First Estate) and the nobility (Second Estate). Despite their large population, the Third Estate faced considerable political and social disadvantages.

At the Estates General, the voting system was based on the number of estates rather than the number of representatives. This meant that each estate had one vote, which allowed the First and Second Estates to easily outvote the Third Estate, despite their larger numbers. This structural inequality underscored their lack of power and influence in the French political system, where the voices of the Third Estate were often marginalized.

Their grievances eventually led to significant actions, such as the formation of the National Assembly, which represented a push for greater equality and more voice in governance. Thus, the involvement of the Third Estate in the Estates General serves as a clear reflection of their status as the most oppressed segment of French society, battling against a social hierarchy that consistently favored the privileged classes.