The Estates-General and the Birth of the National Assembly
In response to mounting pressure, Louis XVI agreed to convene the Estates-General in May 1789, an assembly that had not met since 1614. This decision would prove to be a turning point in French history.
Key aspects of the Estates-General meeting:
- Each estate was to have 300 representatives, with the 3rd Estate allowed 600.
- Voting was to be conducted by estate, with each estate having one vote.
- Cahiers (lists of grievances) were to be discussed.
Definition: Cahiers - Lists of grievances compiled by each estate to be presented at the Estates-General meeting.
The inequity of the voting system became a major point of contention. Abbé Sieyès, a prominent figure of the time, published a pamphlet titled "What is the Third Estate?" In it, he argued that the Third Estate essentially represented the entirety of France, as they were the ones who:
- Dug the canals
- Sold at markets
- Paid all the taxes
- Comprised workers, bankers, doctors, and lawyers
The Third Estate, frustrated with the voting system, stalled the proceedings for six weeks. Eventually, some members of the First and Second Estates joined them, declaring themselves the National Assembly.
Quote: "We are the National Assembly. We will always be the National Assembly no matter where we meet until we solve France's financial crisis."
This bold move led to the famous Tennis Court Oath, where members of the newly formed National Assembly swore not to disband until they had established a new constitution for France.
Highlight: The Tennis Court Oath was a pivotal moment in the early stages of the French Revolution, demonstrating the resolve of the Third Estate and their allies to bring about significant political change.