Glosaurus
The French Revolution

National Assembly Declared

17 June 1789

Formation of a governing body representing the common people.
The National Assembly was formed in June 1789 by representatives of the Third Estate (common people) during the early stages of the French Revolution. This gathering aimed to provide a new political framework and to cure the financial and social inequalities present in the Estates-General. The Assembly sought to represent the interests of the Third Estate, asserting that it held the same legitimacy as the other two estates (the clergy and the nobility). The National Assembly was significant in initiating legislative changes and became a key player in the pursuit of democratic reforms in France.
Date
17 June 1789
Location
Versailles, France
Timeline
  • The Estates-General convened in Versailles.
  • The Third Estate separated from the Estates-General.
  • The Third Estate declared itself the National Assembly.
  • The National Assembly vowed to draft a new constitution for France.
On 17 June 1789, members of the Third Estate (representatives of the common people) declared themselves the National Assembly. This was a pivotal moment during the French Revolution, marking a significant break from the traditional Estates-General, which included representatives from the clergy (First Estate) and the nobility (Second Estate). The declaration by the Third Estate was driven by frustration over the inequality in voting procedures, where each estate had one vote, often resulting in the Third Estate being outvoted by the combined First and Second Estates.

The formation of the National Assembly was primarily in response to financial crises and widespread social and economic unrest in France. The Third Estate demanded a more equitable system where votes were counted per head rather than per estate. This change aimed to better represent the vast majority of the French population, who were from the Third Estate. The insistence of the representatives to address these inequities highlighted the deepening divide between the commoners and the privileged classes.

The events took a more dramatic turn on 20 June 1789, when the members of the newly declared National Assembly found themselves locked out of their regular meeting hall at Versailles. They convened at a nearby indoor tennis court and took an oath, known as the Tennis Court Oath, vowing not to disband until they had drafted a new constitution for France. This act of defiance underscored their commitment to political reform and further positioned the Assembly as a significant force in the revolutionary movement.

In the ensuing weeks, King Louis XVI's attempts to placate the Third Estate by declaring some reforms were deemed insufficient. On 27 June 1789, the King relented under pressure, recognizing the National Assembly and ordering the other two estates to join them. This recognition solidified the National Assembly's authority and demonstrated the increasing power of the common people in shaping the future of France.

The National Assembly's early actions, including the abolition of feudal privileges on 4 August 1789 and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen on 26 August 1789, laid the groundwork for a new societal framework. These reforms were intended to diminish the traditional privileges enjoyed by the clergy and nobility while promoting principles of equality and individual rights.

Throughout its existence, the National Assembly faced numerous challenges, including internal divisions and external threats from conservative forces within France and neighboring monarchies that feared the spread of revolutionary ideas. Despite these obstacles, the National Assembly played a crucial role in transitioning France from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional system, ultimately leading to more radical phases of the Revolution.

The significance of the National Assembly's declaration lies in its role in dismantling the feudal structures that had governed French society for centuries. By asserting the sovereignty of the people, it set a precedent for the democratic movements that would follow, both within France and globally, as nations grappled with the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
Did you know?
  • The National Assembly was formed on 17 June 1789, when representatives of the Third Estate broke away from the Estates-General, asserting their right to represent the French people.
  • The decision to declare themselves the National Assembly came after the Third Estate was locked out of a meeting of the Estates-General (a gathering of representatives from the three estates: clergy, nobility, and commoners); this act marked a pivotal moment in the Revolution.
  • In the Tennis Court Oath, taken on 20 June 1789, members of the National Assembly vowed not to disband until they had drafted a new constitution for France, indicating their determination to redefine governance in the country.
  • The National Assembly played a crucial role in drafting the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (approved on 26 August 1789), which laid down the principles of liberty and equality, serving as a fundamental document for future human rights movements.
  • Although the National Assembly was initially a temporary institution, it played a significant role in transitioning France from absolute monarchy towards a republic, effectively establishing the sovereignty of the people over the king.