The establishment of the National Assembly marked a significant step in the outbreak of the French Revolution, as it provided a platform for the Third Estate (common people) to assert their rights and demand reforms. The National Assembly was convened in May 1789, and it brought together representatives from the clergy, nobility, and the Third Estate. The Third Estate, which constituted the majority of the population, was initially granted fewer representatives compared to the clergy and nobility. This caused discontent and fueled the revolutionary fervor among the common people.
2. Tennis Court Oath:
On June 20, 1789, when the representatives of the Third Estate found the doors to the National Assembly hall locked, they moved to a nearby tennis court. There, they took an oath, known as the "Tennis Court Oath," vowing not to disband until a new constitution had been established for France. This act of defiance demonstrated the determination of the Third Estate to assert their rights and challenge the existing social and political order.
3. Storming of the Bastille:
The National Assembly's deliberations on reforms were met with resistance from the monarchy and the privileged classes. On July 14, 1789, a crowd of Parisians, including members of the National Assembly, stormed the Bastille, a notorious prison that symbolized royal oppression. The storming of the Bastille became a pivotal event in the revolution, inspiring further uprisings and instilling a sense of empowerment among the people.
4. Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen:
In August 1789, the National Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. This document proclaimed the equality of all men, the right to liberty and property, and the separation of powers. The declaration had a profound impact on the revolution, spreading its ideals throughout France and serving as a rallying point for the revolutionary cause.
5. Women's March on Versailles:
On October 5, 1789, a large crowd of women, primarily from the Parisian markets, marched to Versailles, the royal residence. They demanded bread, as well as the king's and queen's return to Paris. The women's march highlighted the economic hardships faced by the common people and their dissatisfaction with the monarchy. It also demonstrated the active participation of women in the revolutionary process.
In summary, the establishment of the National Assembly and subsequent events, such as the Tennis Court Oath and the storming of the Bastille, played a crucial role in igniting the French Revolution. The assembly provided a platform for the Third Estate to demand reforms and challenge the existing social and political order. The revolution was marked by significant events and declarations, including the Tennis Court Oath, storming of the Bastille, Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, and women's march on Versailles, all of which contributed to the eventual overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of the French Republic.