Write a short note on three …

The Three Estates refer to the three divisions of European society in the Middle Ages: the nobles (first estate), the clergy (second estate), and the commoners (third estate). Despite the transformation of European society caused by the Scientific Revolution, the Reformation, and colonialism, the rigidity of these class divisions continued in France until the 1789 revolution, and even longer in countries such as Russia. However, the incipient Industrial Revolution and growth of urban centers had already transferred significant de factor power to the third estate prior to Louis XVI's attempt to raise taxes on the peasantry that led to the French Revolution in 1789. Despite Napoleon's seizure of king like powers, the events of the revolution permanently swept aside feudalism in France.