The Estates-GeneralThe Estates-General

Prior to the meeting of the Prior to the meeting of the Estates-GeneralEstates-General

The key issue: the method of votingThe key issue: the method of voting• Voting by order vs voting by headVoting by order vs voting by head• First and Second estates want First and Second estates want voting by voting by

orderorder• Third Estate representatives want:Third Estate representatives want:

– twice as many deputiestwice as many deputies– voting by headvoting by head– This will guarantee a majorityThis will guarantee a majority

• December 1788 – King’s Council/Necker December 1788 – King’s Council/Necker agree to double representatives …agree to double representatives …

… … BUT, no mention of voting methodBUT, no mention of voting method

The Estates-General meetsThe Estates-General meets5 May 17895 May 1789

After early snubs to Third Estate delegates…After early snubs to Third Estate delegates…… … the government fails to offer acceptable the government fails to offer acceptable

reformsreforms• Ignores many demands of cahiers (eg. Ignores many demands of cahiers (eg.

constitution)constitution)• Third Estate demands a common session – Third Estate demands a common session –

to verify credentials of those elected – want to verify credentials of those elected – want all three estates to meet and vote by head.all three estates to meet and vote by head.

• Minor issue – but, First and Second estate Minor issue – but, First and Second estate reject demand – recognise significance.reject demand – recognise significance.

• General inaction as a result - delayGeneral inaction as a result - delay

10 June 178910 June 1789

• Deadlock brokenDeadlock broken

• Third Estate goes ahead without the Third Estate goes ahead without the other two estates – verifies own other two estates – verifies own deputiesdeputies

National AssemblyNational Assembly17 June 178917 June 1789

• After a debate two days earlier After a debate two days earlier (significance: don’t need other (significance: don’t need other estates)estates)

• Third Estate delegates vote 490-90 to Third Estate delegates vote 490-90 to call themselves call themselves National AssemblyNational Assembly

• Claim to represent nation (hence title)Claim to represent nation (hence title)

• Claim right to manage own affairs and Claim right to manage own affairs and taxationtaxation

19 June19 June

• 1st Estate – clergy – vote to join Third 1st Estate – clergy – vote to join Third EstateEstate

• Government losing control, rapidly.Government losing control, rapidly.

• This, however, is only the This, however, is only the beginning… (!)beginning… (!)

The Tennis Court OathThe Tennis Court Oath20 June 178920 June 1789