The Birth of the French National Assembly: 1789

Overview

In summer 1789, the Estates General transformed into a national assembly, asserting sovereignty over the monarchy and declaring itself representative of all French citizens. This revolutionary move was driven by social unrest and political pressure from within the assembly, leading to significant concessions from the monarchy and the emergence of clear ideological divisions among its members.

Context

The late 18th century in France saw a severe economic crisis exacerbated by poor harvests, heavy taxation, and mounting government debt. The rigid feudal system and absolutist monarchy faced increasing criticism from Enlightenment thinkers who advocated for social equality and constitutional governance. Feudalism, which divided society into distinct orders with unequal rights, was under threat as the middle class (the bourgeoisie) grew in economic power and political awareness.

Timeline

• 1787: The Estates General is convened by King Louis XVI to address financial crises.
• June 12, 1789: Third Estate deputies meet at a nearby tennis court and swear the Tennis Court Oath, pledging not to disperse until they have drafted a new constitution for France.
• July 14, 1789: The storming of the Bastille prison in Paris marks the beginning of the French Revolution.
• June 20, 1789: Members of the Third Estate form the National Assembly and break with traditional feudal divisions by claiming to represent all citizens equally.
• July 9, 1789: King Louis XVI recognizes the new National Assembly but also calls for its dissolution in a decree on August 8th.
• October 6, 1789: The Women’s March to Versailles pressures the king to return to Paris and provide bread for the city.

Key Terms and Concepts

• Estates General: A representative assembly of the three estates (clergy, nobility, and commoners) convened in France to address financial crises.
• Tennis Court Oath: An oath taken by members of the Third Estate on June 20, 1789, vowing not to disperse until a new constitution is established.
• Feudalism: A hierarchical social system based on land ownership and personal dependence, with societal divisions between nobility, clergy, and commoners.
• National Assembly: The body formed by the Third Estate after breaking away from the Estates General in June 1789, representing all French citizens equally.
• Constitutional Monarchy: A form of government where a monarch’s powers are limited by a constitution and an elected parliament or assembly.
• Revolutionary Ideology: The set of beliefs and principles that fueled the French Revolution, including liberty, equality, fraternity, and constitutional governance.

Key Figures and Groups

• Jean-Sylvain Bailly: Elected as the first president of the National Assembly, he played a crucial role in maintaining order during the early stages of the revolution.
• Maximilien Robespierre: A leading figure in the French Revolution who later became prominent during the Reign of Terror and advocated for radical measures to protect revolutionary ideals.
• Marquis de Lafayette: An influential military leader who supported constitutional monarchy and helped draft the Declaration of Rights of Man and of the Citizen.

Mechanisms and Processes

Economic Crisis -> Social Unrest -> Political Reform

• The economic crisis led to widespread poverty and hunger, sparking rural revolts across France.
• The Third Estate deputies, representing commoners, began to push for more democratic reforms within the Estates General.
• As social unrest intensified with events like the storming of the Bastille, pressure mounted on the monarchy to grant concessions.

Feudalism -> Enlightenment Ideas -> National Assembly

• Feudalism’s rigid class structure was challenged by Enlightenment thinkers advocating for equality and constitutional governance.
• The Third Estate deputies broke away from the Estates General, forming a new assembly that claimed sovereignty over the king.
• This shift created a clear ideological divide between supporters of the revolution (the Left) and those opposed to it (the Right).

Deep Background

The long-term background of absolutism in France contributed significantly to the revolutionary events. Under Louis XIV’s reign, centralized power was consolidated, reducing the autonomy of local authorities and nobility. By the 18th century, this system faced increasing strain due to financial mismanagement and social inequality.

Explanation and Importance

The transformation of the Estates General into a national assembly marked a critical moment in the French Revolution as it fundamentally altered the political landscape by asserting sovereign power over the monarchy. This step was enabled by mounting public unrest and internal pressure from revolutionary deputies within the assembly, who were driven to action by the government’s inability to address economic hardships.

The shift created ideological divisions among members of the National Assembly, with supporters of the revolution forming the Left and opponents aligning themselves on the Right. These divisions would become more pronounced as the revolution progressed, influencing subsequent political dynamics and governance structures in France.

Comparative Insight

Similar revolutionary movements occurred across Europe during the late 18th century, such as the American Revolution (1775-1783) which was inspired by Enlightenment principles of liberty and equality. Both revolutions challenged traditional monarchical authority and advocated for constitutional governance, reflecting broader shifts in political thought during this period.

Extended Analysis

Emergence of Ideological Divisions

• The National Assembly’s ideological split between supporters and opponents of the revolution reflected deeper societal divisions over feudalism and absolutism.

Role of Public Unrest

• Widespread social unrest, particularly rural revolts and urban riots, pressured the monarchy to concede power to revolutionary leaders.

Constitutional Governance

• The National Assembly’s move towards constitutional governance represented a significant break from traditional monarchical rule in France.

Quiz

Open Thinking Questions

• How did Enlightenment ideas contribute to the formation of the National Assembly?
• What were the long-term impacts of ideological divisions within the National Assembly on French governance?
• In what ways did rural revolts influence political reforms in 18th century France?

Conclusion

The transformation of the Estates General into a national assembly marked a pivotal moment, signaling the end of absolute monarchy and the beginning of constitutional governance in France. This shift had profound implications for social structures and political ideologies, setting the stage for further revolutionary changes.