"On 20 June 1789, the members of the French Third Estate took the Tennis Court Oath (French: Serment du Jeu de Paume) in the tennis court which had been built in 1686 for the use of the Palace of Versailles."
The Tennis Court Oath was a pledge taken by the members of the National Assembly to create a new constitution for France. This topic covers the events leading up to the oath, the significance of the oath, and its impact on the French Revolution.
The Estates-General: This was the legislative body of France, made up of three estates (clergy, nobility, and commoners), which had not been called for 175 years before the start of the French Revolution.
The Third Estate: This was the largest estate, composed of commoners such as merchants, bankers, and lawyers, who were dissatisfied with their lack of representation in the Estates-General.
The National Assembly: This was a group of representatives from the Third Estate who declared themselves the legitimate representatives of the French people and were committed to drawing up a new constitution for France.
The Tennis Court Oath: This was a pledge made by members of the National Assembly to not disband until they had written a new constitution for France. It took place on a tennis court in Versailles on June 20, 1789.
The Bastille: This was a fortress in Paris that represented royal authority and was seen as a symbol of tyranny by the revolutionaries. Its storming on July 14, 1789, is often considered the start of the French Revolution.
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen: This was a document that stated the fundamental principles of the revolution, including the rights of individuals and popular sovereignty.
The Reign of Terror: This was a period during the French Revolution (1793-1794) characterized by violence, mass executions, and repression of perceived enemies of the Revolution.
The Directory: This was the government of France from 1795-1799 and was characterized by corruption and instability.
Napoleon Bonaparte: This was a military leader who rose to power during the Revolutionary period and became emperor of France. He is often credited with ending the Revolution and establishing a stable government.
The impact of the French Revolution: This topic encompasses the social, political, and economic changes that took place during and after the Revolution, including the rise of nationalism, the spread of revolutionary ideas, and the redrawing of European borders.
"The Estates-General had been called to address the country's fiscal and agricultural crisis..."
"...but they had become bogged down in issues of representation immediately after convening in May 1789, particularly whether they would vote by order or by head..."
"...the Third Estate began to call itself the National Assembly, led by Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, Comte de Mirabeau."
"They immediately feared the worst and were anxious that a royal attack was imminent from King Louis XVI, so upon the suggestion of one of their members Joseph-Ignace Guillotin, the deputies congregated in a nearby indoor royal tennis court near the Palace of Versailles."
"There 576 of the 577 members from the Third Estate took the oath..."
"The only person who did not join was Joseph Martin-Dauch from Castelnaudary..."
"Their vow 'not to separate and to reassemble wherever necessary until the Constitution of the kingdom is established'..."
"...became a pivotal event in the French Revolution."
"...the tennis court which had been built in 1686 for the use of the Palace of Versailles."
"...they were shocked to discover that the chamber door was locked and guarded by soldiers. They immediately feared the worst and were anxious that a royal attack was imminent from King Louis XVI..."
"...upon the suggestion of one of their members Joseph-Ignace Guillotin, the deputies congregated in a nearby indoor royal tennis court near the Palace of Versailles."
"There 576 of the 577 members from the Third Estate took the oath..."
"...Joseph Martin-Dauch from Castelnaudary, who would only execute decisions that were made by the monarch."
"The Third Estate began to call itself the National Assembly, led by Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, Comte de Mirabeau."
"...particularly whether they would vote by order or by head (which would increase the power of the Third Estate, as it outnumbered the other two estates by a large margin)."
"They immediately feared the worst and were anxious that a royal attack was imminent from King Louis XVI..."
"...the deputies congregated in a nearby indoor royal tennis court near the Palace of Versailles."
"The Estates-General had been called to address the country's fiscal and agricultural crisis..."
"Their vow 'not to separate and to reassemble wherever necessary until the Constitution of the kingdom is established'..."