There was a hushed silence. The priests and noblemen were powerful men. They would never agree to paying taxes. We'll have to hold a meeting of the Estates, said the King, reluctantly. What are the Estates? asked Marie Antoinette, after the meeting. Three groups representing the French people," explained Louis. "Priests make up the First Estate, noblemen the Second and everyone else the Third. The Estates haven't met for over a century. But since the Third Estate is the largest and the poorest, I'm sure they'll vote for the wich to pay more. Unfortunately, the Third Estate had other ideas. Inspired by the American Revolution, they saw this meeting as their chance to change France forever.