French Revolution Old Regime

The preliminary stage of any revolutionary cycle is characterized by a rigid, unresponsive political structure referred to as the old regime. The government apparatus of such a regime is generally faced with financial difficulties and limitations, while a socio-economic class within society has reasons to be optimistic about the future. The political structure of the old regime does not provide opportunity for growth and may hinder the operations of this particular segment of society. Even …

…and to regain the power that they had lost under Louis XIV. Once in control of the government, they would introduce financial reforms. But the revolt of the nobility against the Crown had unexpected consequences. It opened the way for the revolutions by the Third Estate that destroyed the Old Regime and with it the aristocracy and its privileges. The Old Regime had come falling down and the match of the Revolution had been lit.