Question

document 3
these are excerpts from the cahiers (lists of grievances about the king, taxing, and voting) brought to the estates general.
that the king be forced to reform the abuses and tyranny of lettre de cachet a letter allowing a person to be jailed without trial.
that every tax . . . be granted by the estates general only for a limited time.
that the taille a tax on land be borne equally by all classes, . . .
the meetings of the estates general . . . shall be scheduled for definite times. . . .
in order to assure the third estate the influence it deserves because of its numbers, . . . its votes in the assembly should be taken and counted by head.
what changes in the french government did the third estate demand?

Explanation:

To determine the changes the third estate demanded, we analyze each grievance:

1. Reform of "lettre de cachet": They wanted the king to end the abuse of jailing without trial.
2. Taxation reforms:

• Taxes should be granted for a limited time by the Estates General.
• The taille (land tax) should be equally borne by all classes.

1. Estates General meetings: Meetings should be scheduled at definite times.
2. Voting reform: The third estate's votes in the assembly should be counted by head (to reflect their numerical strength).

Answer:

The Third Estate demanded several changes:

• The king should reform the abuse of lettre de cachet (ending jailing without trial).
• Taxes (including the taille) should be reformed: taxes granted for a limited time by the Estates General, and the taille borne equally by all classes.
• Estates General meetings should be scheduled at definite times.
• Their votes in the Estates General assembly should be counted by head (to ensure influence matching their numbers).