The Old Regime was the French political and social system before 1789. Society in the Old Regime was divided into three classes called Estates. The First Estate was made up of all of the clergy members. The Second Estate was made up of nobility. The Third Estate, which was by far the largest, was made up of the peasants, city workers and the middle class.

People were unhappy with the Old Regime, especially the Third Estate. Poverty was widespread among the peasants because of an unfair tax system and a poor harvest in 1788. The working class was angry because the food prices had gone up. The middle class or bourgeoisie had money but didn't have the influence the nobles had. The bourgeoisie studied Enlightenment thinkers and began to question the Old Regime.

In the 1700's there was social inequality in France. Taxes and laws differed in each province causing confusion and injustice. Louis XIV and Louis XV both left big debts when they died, making France nearly bankrupt. The clergy and nobles had plenty of money but the king couldn't tax the wealthy. Louis XVI asked the First and Second Estates to accept a land tax, but the refused. In 1789, the country was in a financial crisis.