commoners : all others represented the third estate in the estates general.
who represented the third estate in the estates general?
commoners : all others
in one sense, the composition and powers of the estates general always remained the same. they always included representatives of the first estate (clergy), second estate (the nobility), and third estate (commoners: all others), and monarchs always summoned them either to grant subsidies or to advise the crown, to give aid and counsel. their composition, however, as well as their effective powers, varied greatly at different times.
estates general (france)
sieyès's pamphlet had a significant influence on the structural concerns that arose surrounding the convocation of the estates general. specifically, the third estate demanded that the number of deputies for their order be equal to that of the two privileged orders combined, and most controversially "that the states general vote, not by orders, but by heads". the pamphlet took these issues to the masses and their partial appeasement was met with revolutionary reaction. by addressing the issues of representation directly, sieyès inspired resentment and agitation that united the third estate against the feudalistic traditions of the ancien régime. as a result, the third estate demanded the reorganization of the estates general, but the two other orders proved unable or unwilling to provide a solution. sieyès proposed that the members of the first and second order join the third estate and become a united body to represent the nation as a whole. he not only suggested an invitation, however, but also stated that the third estate had the right to consider those who denied this invitation to be in default of their national responsibility. the third estate adopted this measure on 5 june 1789; by doing so, they assumed the authority to represent the nation. this radical action was confirmed when they decided to change the name of the estates general to the national assembly, indicating that the separation of orders no longer existed.
emmanuel joseph sieyès