The Ancien Régime refers to the political and social system in France before the French Revolution of 1789. It was characterized by a monarchy, feudal privileges, and a rigid class structure divided into three estates: the clergy, the nobility, and the common people. This system maintained significant inequalities, with the first two estates enjoying various privileges and exemptions. The Ancien Régime faced growing criticism due to economic hardship and social injustice, leading to widespread discontent among the common people. The Enlightenment ideas of equality and individual rights further fueled the desire for change, ultimately resulting in the collapse of this system and the rise of a new political order in France.