The Estates-General
Prior to the meeting of the EstatesGeneral
The key issue: the method of voting
• Voting by order vs voting by head
• First and Second estates want voting by order
• Third Estate representatives want:
– twice as many deputies
– voting by head
– This will guarantee a majority
• December 1788 – King’s Council/Necker agree to
double representatives …
… BUT, no mention of voting method
The Estates-General meets
5 May 1789
 After early snubs to Third Estate delegates…
… the government fails to offer acceptable reforms
• Ignores many demands of cahiers (eg.
constitution)
• Third Estate demands a common session – to
verify credentials of those elected – want all
three estates to meet and vote by head.
• Minor issue – but, First and Second estate reject
demand – recognise significance.
• General inaction as a result - delay
10 June 1789
• Deadlock broken
• Third Estate goes ahead without the other
two estates – verifies own deputies
National Assembly
17 June 1789
• After a debate two days earlier
(significance: don’t need other estates)
• Third Estate delegates vote 490-90 to call
themselves National Assembly
• Claim to represent nation (hence title)
• Claim right to manage own affairs and
taxation
19 June
• 1st Estate – clergy – vote to join Third
Estate
• Government losing control, rapidly.
• This, however, is only the beginning… (!)
The Tennis Court Oath
20 June 1789