Author: The author of The Grievances of Carcassonne is the Third Estate. There is no one author of this primary document, instead a group of people wrote it to express the views and opinions of the middle class. The Third Estate is the representation of the middle class in the French government during the French Revolution.
Speaker: see above.
Date/ context: During this time in France the Third Estate had very little power in the government. France was ruled by an absolute monarch who controlled the French population. This document represents a few of the problems the French people saw with their government and nation.
Summary: This primary document begins by stating that the Third Estate has many grievances that they want their humble ruler to consider. The entire first two paragraphs is basically the Third Estate addressing the king and feeding his ego. The primary document then goes on to list the grievances the French people have against their government. The grievances include reinstating Roman Catholicism as the only religion in France, freedom of the people to vote for their taxes and laws, and equal taxes for all people. In addition the Third Estate asks for freedom of press and individual liberty. Overall, The Grievances of Carcassonne model that of the Bill of Rights.
Quotes:
“Among these rights the following should be especially noted: the nation should hereafter be subject only to such laws and taxes as it shall itself freely ratify.”
Wow, Sean! Great job. This was very informative. However, please remember that the Third Estate was not limited to just the middle class. The Third Estate was comprised of EVERYONE that was not a member of the nobility or clergy. This includes not only the middle class, but the peasants as well. Remember that the Third Estate also wanted adequate representation because they were the largest estate with more than half of the land. It is also important to consider that they addressed the king in such a way in order to avoid angering him. If they angered the king they would most likely be executed. Overall, great job explaining and I love the comparison with the Bill of Rights.
ReplyDeletethanks bud
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