Question

primary sources
document a
the third estate is the people, and the people are everything. what has
the third estate been until now in the political order? nothing. what does it
demand? to become something.

• abbé sieyès, what is the third estate? (1789)

document b
the people have taken possession of the bastille, that fortress of
despotism. the kings authority has fallen before the courage of the
citizens.

• paris newspaper, july 14, 1789

document c
the republic is one and indivisible. the enemies of liberty must be
crushed so that the revolution may live.

• maximilien robespierre, speech to the national convention (1793)

based on document a, what best describes abbé sieyès argument about
french society before the revolution?
a the nobility represented the true spirit of the french nation
b the clergy deserved more influence over the government
c the third estates was essential to society but lacked political
power
d the third estate had political equality with the clergy and nobility

Explanation:

Document A emphasizes that the Third Estate (the people) are everything but have had no political standing ("nothing") and now want to "become something." Option C aligns with this as it states the Third Estate was essential (as they are the people) but lacked political power (had been "nothing" in the political order). Option A is incorrect as the document focuses on the Third Estate, not the nobility. Option B is wrong as there's no mention of clergy deserving more influence. Option D is false because the text says the Third Estate had no political power (was "nothing" politically) before wanting to change that.

Answer:

C. The Third Estates was essential to society but lacked political power