Was The French Revolution Sparked By Long-Term Political Factors From 1689-1789?

To what extent was the French Revolution sparked by long term political factors from the years 1689 – 1789?
Whilst looking at the origins of the French Revolution from a Marxist viewpoint, it becomes apparent that economic and social factors resulted in society becoming the pivotal factor in the start of the revolution. The classic approach showing class antagonism and conflict between the rising middle class, named the bourgeoisie and the already established aristocracy. The historian Albert Soboul wrote that, “The essential cause of the Revolution was the power of a bourgeoisie arrived at its maturity and confronted by a decadent aristocracy holding tenaciously to its privileges.” Following this view, Soboul was adamant that without the conflict that arose between the different social classes the French Revolution would not have ever occurred. After the fiscal crisis in 1787-88, the aristocracy attempted to defend the nation’s traditional hierarchical stance and thus their primal

Fundamentally by contributing to the American Revolution, the already bad economic situation was further weakened. Along with this, the French were able to see that the government would function greater without the age old ideas of having a traditionally layered hierarchy. This new revelation inspired confidence amongst the revolutionists to employ the new ideas of the enlightenment and thus create a nation based on reason and freedom.
Although the timing of the American War suggests that there was an effect on the revolution, the economic turmoil that France faced during this time was far greater than the political issues. The failing of the French government to develop an efficient debt management system meant that the rise in expenditure to pay for the wars lead to further unresolved issues that would contribute to the fiscal