Tennis Court Oath

• The Third Estate meets in the tennis court after being locked out of the Estates-General meeting.
• The members of the Third Estate pledge not to disband until they have created a new constitution for France.

The Tennis Court Oath (Serment du Jeu de Paume) took place on 20 June 1789 in Versailles. This event occurred when members of the French Estates-General from the Third Estate (commoners) found themselves locked out of their usual meeting hall at Versailles. Thus, they convened in an indoor tennis court nearby. In this location, they took an oath not to disband until a new constitution had been established for France, reflecting their determination to reform the political system of the country.

This oath marked a significant shift in the political dynamics of France, signaling the rise of the common people's influence. The delegates of the Third Estate (joined by some members of the clergy and nobility) vowed this commitment, defying King Louis XVI's authority. The Tennis Court Oath is often seen as a prelude to the later developments of the French Revolution, where the drive for a representative constitution and the end of the feudal system would gain momentum.

The significance of the Tennis Court Oath lies in its embodiment of collective action and unity among the Third Estate. This action illustrated their resolve to achieve political and social change, despite the opposition from the monarchy and privileged classes. The Oath participants (led by figures such as Jean-Sylvain Bailly and others) also established the framework for the National Assembly, a new legislative body that would play a crucial role in the subsequent events of the revolution.

By forcing the attention of King Louis XVI and the First and Second Estates (clergy and nobility), the Oath highlighted the growing power and organization of the Third Estate. The sense of urgency and determination evident in this gathering foreshadowed the larger revolutionary tide that would sweep through France. The Tennis Court in Versailles thus became a symbol of resistance and progressive aspiration, embedding itself in the annals of the French Revolution.

• The Tennis Court Oath (Serment du Jeu de Paume) was a pivotal moment that took place on 20 June 1789, when members of the Third Estate vowed not to disband until a new constitution was established for France.
• Interestingly, the site of the oath was a tennis court located at the Palace of Versailles, which was chosen due to the closure of the usual meeting hall for the Estates-General.
• The Oath was a direct response to King Louis XVI's attempt to dissolve the Estates-General; this act of defiance symbolized the shift of power from the monarchy to the people.
• The Oath united members of the Third Estate (commoners) with those from the First and Second Estates (clergy and nobility) who supported constitutional reform, laying the groundwork for the future National Assembly.
• The Tennis Court Oath inspired revolutionary movements around the world, serving as a symbol of the fight for democratic rights and accountability of governments.