What caused discontent in the old French regime?

Answer 1

(Prior to French Revolution). King Louis XIV was an absolute monarch. He used a tax system that greatly benefited the wealthy. Also, society was broken down into three classes (estates). Most important to the coming Revolution was the rebellious Nobility of Second Estate. Clergy was the first estate, which owned much land and power due to no separation of Church/State. The second estate was made up of nobility that came from wealth and title. Like the clergy, they had generous rights and privileges. Both the first and second estates were exempt from taxes; therefore, the third estate had to supply all of France's tax income. They were the largest group by far, and consisted of peasants, middle class, and urban workers.

The middle class created a stink over their social status, whereas they were above the peasants in wealth and possession, but still considered equals to the destitute in the eye of the all-important social courts. But more importantly, urban workers' anger over low wages/shortage of food led to mob violence in the Revolution. The third estate was also forced into military service and harsh restrictions, such as being forbidden to hunt game. This became even more of a problem following the famine due to erratic weather problems. Lastly, extravagant spending of the crown led to more taxation, more rebellions, and more spending to quell them. With Enlightenment ideas spreading like wildfire (such as John Locke), it made the third class realize how unequally they were treated; thus a major rebellion was imminent.

Answer 2

The discontent was basically caused by the economic problems. There were feuds in between the lower and upper classes. France was falling into bankruptcy. People were starving and dying.