'Social tensions, political conflicts were not as important as economic depression in
             bringing about a crisis in the old regime.'
             Social tensions, political conflicts and economic depression were all to a
             degree, important as one another in bringing about a crisis in the old regime of France.
             Various social, political and economic conditions, contributed equally to the
             revolution in France. These conditions included much dissatisfaction among the lower
             and middle classes, interest in the new ideas of government and financial problems
             Of all the tensions and conflicts , the Ancient Regime was perhaps the most
             deeply rooted. The ancient regime was the old system of government, the old order of
             things, before the revolution, and it divided French society up into three estates. The
             first comprised of the clergy, the second the nobility and the rest of the population was
             classified as the third estate. Not only was the third estate heterogeneous, comprising
             of the bourgeoisie(lawyers, doctors, businessman, merchants, factory owners) peasants
             and beggars, but all three estates. There were many distinguishing factors that set
             these three estates apart. The first two estates were privileged in that they paid no tax
             at all, and for this reason, the monarch did not have a problem with their support, they
             were, in effect, propping up the ancient regime.1
             The third estate paid the highest taxes and earnt the least. The bourgeoisie
             resented the nobles, who were simply 'born' into their position of wealth. The nobles
             believed that their noble 'birth' set them apart from the rest of society. It is clear
             unrest was felt by the whole population, in particular the third estate.2
             Along with the social causes of the revolution, economic and political events,
             likewise, brought about the desires for change as well.
             Economic conditions such as the rise in
             ...