In what way is the outbreak of the French Revolution of 1789 a continuation of a struggle which dates back to the early seventeenth century?

In the seventeenth century, feudal monarchies developed into national monarchies in Europe. This change in power structure led eventually to conflict as the rising middle class, especially, desired empowerment for all its services.

A feudal monarchy is a form of government in which power is shared between the nobles and the monarch, whereas a national monarchy is government in which all aspects of leadership, governmental and religious, are controlled. In seventeenth century France, the nobility controlled...

In the seventeenth century, feudal monarchies developed into national monarchies in Europe. This change in power structure led eventually to conflict as the rising middle class, especially, desired empowerment for all its services.

A feudal monarchy is a form of government in which power is shared between the nobles and the monarch, whereas a national monarchy is government in which all aspects of leadership, governmental and religious, are controlled. In seventeenth century France, the nobility controlled the government, but a rising middle class of merchants began to attain influence and status in the major cities, especially in Paris. However, since power was legitimized only by heredity, the middle class could lay no claim to power. Nevertheless, the king's alliance with the middle class--merchants, manufacturers, and professionals--which offered him talent and resources, permitted him to build a power structure independent of the feudal system, thus creating a national monarchy. 

Gradually, the bourgeoisie (middle class) began to desire political equality as they gained status, but they had no claim because in the culture of France, power was inherited. They, therefore, organized with the peasants, many of whom owned land and desired to rid themselves of the last vestiges of feudalism, to acquire a status of power that could exert some control on the government. This oppression of the Third Estate, the middle class, is how the Revolution culminated, contended Madame de Stael, who participated in the intellectual and political life of her times. She writes that the Revolution,

...culminated a long struggle for liberty by the real France, the bourgeoisie or Third Estate, against the nobility and the clergy.