The creation of the American republic (along with enlightenment ideas in general) had a profound influence on the French, who were becoming increasingly critical of their absolute monarchy and society. Under this system high ranking Catholic Church members like bishops and priests (also known as clergy and referred to as the First Estate) and France's nobility (aristocracy; referred to as the Second Estate) not only enjoyed power and special privileges, but paid almost no taxes. The Third Estate,which included everyone else (about 97% of the population),paid most of the taxes and was given no role in running the government. No matter how successful and well-educated members of the Third Estate became, they were always excluded from the First and Second Estate, simply because of the families into which they were born. The peasants (poor farmers) jad it especially bad. Although some owned their own land, they were required to pay taxes and other special fees to the First and Second Estate as well as to the king. They were trapped in a cycle of proverty from which they could never break free.