The Tennis Court Oath (June 30, 1789)

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    Created by
    Libby Frazer

    Cards (2)

    • Event
      After being locked out of their usual meeting place at Versailles, the members of the Third Estate (representing commoners) convened in a nearby indoor tennis court. There, they swore an oath not to separate until they had drafted a new constitution for France.
    • Significance
      The Tennis Court Oath was a direct challenge to the authority of King Louis XVI and the privileged estates. It represented the first formal act of disobedience and a significant step towards the establishment of a constitutional monarchy. The formation of the National Assembly indicated the Third Estate’s determination to transform the political structure of France.