The Declaration of Independence and The Third Estate.

The creation of the Declaration of Independence was to establish the problems the thirteen british colonies had with the British’s presence. Many of the problems included the British having the right to quarter their soldiers in colonist’s homes, the British refusing the colonies to do trade around the world and no trial by jury to name a few of the issues. (Blaisdell 65). The document declared that with the British’s inability to care for the people, it is up to the colonies to establish a new government and essentially cut off all political ties with Britain. (Blaisdell 64). The document also details that the newly-found government has the ability to levy war, contract alliances and establish commerce. (Blaisdell 66).

Like wise, another document was drafted in 1789 by Emmanuel Joseph Sieyès that would also provoke a sense of revolution and also declaring their monarch a problem for the people. This was Sieyès’ document, “What is the Third Estate?” The third estate was the working class within France and felt they had the right to be treated and respected as citizens of France. Sieyès goes into detail that without the third estate, the second and first estate would collapse. Sieyès explains “Nothing will go well without the Third Estate; everything would go considerably better without the two others.” (Blaisdell 73). The document also provokes the citizens of France to overthrow the king of France and implement a government that can take care of its people and provide private activity and public services. “What is the Third Estate?” was clearly an important document during the French Revolution.