The French Revolution had several causes. One of the major causes was unfair treatment of members of the Third Estate. The Third Estate consisted of roughly 90% of France's population right before the revolution. Even though this was the least wealthiest class in France, they were the only group of citizens who paid taxes. The first and second estate (consisting of the high-ranking clergy and noblemen) did not have to pay any taxes. French citizens saw this as wildly unfair, and was just one of many complaints they had against the French government.