Nobles:
1. Preservation of Privileges: The nobles were fighting to maintain their long-held privileges and feudal rights, such as exemptions from taxation, exclusive rights to certain lands and resources, and the ability to hold high-ranking positions in government and military.
2. Protection of Estates: The nobles sought to protect their estates and sources of income, which were threatened by increasing taxation and the challenges of a changing economic landscape. They feared the loss of their wealth, power, and social status.
3. Resistance to Reform: Many nobles were opposed to the political and social reforms proposed by the revolutionary movement. They saw these reforms as a threat to their traditional privileges and the established social hierarchy.
4. Loyalty to the Monarchy: Some nobles were fiercely loyal to the monarchy and saw their interests as intertwined with the preservation of the royal authority. They believed in the importance of maintaining the traditional structure of power and preserving the status quo.
Commoners:
1. Equality: The commoners, mostly comprising the bourgeoisie (the middle class) and the peasantry, fought for equality under the law and an end to the feudal privileges enjoyed by the nobles. They sought the abolishment of serfdom and unfair practices, such as manorial dues and obligations.
2. Political Representation: The commoners desired a greater say in government and political decision-making. They pushed for increased representation in the National Assembly, which would allow them to have a stronger voice in shaping the country's laws and policies.
3. Economic Rights: The commoners were burdened by heavy taxes and struggled with poverty and unfair economic practices. They fought for economic reforms that would improve their living conditions and alleviate their financial hardships.
4. Social Mobility: Many commoners aspired to social advancement and greater opportunities for education, employment, and social status. They challenged the rigid social hierarchies and sought greater social equality.
5. Democratic Transformation: The more radical commoners, influenced by Enlightenment ideas, advocated for a complete restructuring of society based on democratic principles. They sought to establish a government based on the consent of the governed and the protection of individual rights and freedoms.
In summary, the French Revolution was a complex conflict driven by the clash between the privileges of the nobles and the demands of the commoners for equality, political representation, economic rights, social mobility, and democratic transformation. The struggle between these groups ultimately led to significant changes in the social, political, and economic structures of France.