of the third estate. Simply stated, the third estate currently has nothing, and their demand is to become something. Since the third estate makes up the vast majority of the population, they believe they should have at least equal representation within the estates general. The third estate demands, then, that votes be taken by head and not order, (Sieyes 233). The third section of the pamphlet looks toward the future of the third estate. It states how the third estate should utilize its newfound political rights to benefit the nation. The third estate must meet apart from the other two estates. Ultimately, the pamphlet concludes that since they represent 97% of the population, the estates general should be terminated and a national assembly should be founded (Sieyes 234).All three of these writers are extremely successful in their attempts to criticize the aristocracy and each are persuasive in his own way. In some ways, all three works played a part in bringing about the changes. Beaumarchais play demonstrates how wrong things are by over dramatizing the situation so everyone could be made aware. Sieyes lays down the blueprint in order to take action. Finally, Rousseau tells the way things should be and how to return society to a natural state.Of the three writers, I feel that Sieyes was the most influential. Beaumarchais appealed to all classes and had the potential to reach many people. With the high illiteracy rate at the time, a play could be very effective. However, his plays were forbidden and not performed much and thus did not have the impact it could have. Rousseau was also very influential, especially during the times after 1789. The first statement in the Declaration of the Rights of Man, reads Men are born and remain free and equal in rights, (reader 235). This definitely has Rousseaus influence.Sieyes, however, has a bit stronger influence. It is by far the most direct and the most radical of the three works. What is the T...
