Tennis Court Oath

The pivotal vow by the Third Estate deputies in 1789, launching the French Revolution.

Quick Facts: Who was Tennis Court Oath?

Subject:
Tennis Court Oath
Known for:
The pivotal vow by the Third Estate deputies in 1789, launching the French Revolution.
Verified Source:
2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Tennis Court Oath (French: Serment du Jeu de Paume, pronounced [sɛʁmɑ̃ dy ʒø də pom]) was taken on 20 June 1789 by the members of the French Third Estate in the hall of an indoor tennis court in the grounds of Versailles. Their vow "not to separate and to reassemble wherever necessary until the constitution of the kingdom is established" became a pivotal event in the French Revolution. The Estates-General had been called to address the country's fiscal and agricultural crisis, but they had become bogged down in issues of representation immediately after convening in May 1789, particularly whether they would vote by order or by head (which would increase the power of the Third Estate, as it outnumbered the other two estates by a large margin). On 17 June of 1789, the Third Estate began to call itself the National Assembly, led by Jean Sylvain Bailly and Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, Comte de Mirabeau, who took prominent roles in much of early stages of the Revolution. On the morning of 20 June the deputies were shocked to discover that the door of the Salle des Menus-Plaisir was locked and guarded by soldiers.

Career & Major Achievements

They immediately feared the worst and were anxious that an attack was imminent from King Louis XVI, so upon the suggestion of one of their members Joseph-Ignace Guillotin, the deputies congregated in an indoor tennis court near the Palace of Versailles. 576 of the 577 members from the Third Estate took the oath. Bailly was the first one who signed; the only person who did not join was Joseph Martin-Dauch, who would only execute decisions that were made by the monarch. To prevent further sessions, the tennis court was rented on 21 or 22 June by the count of Artois, a brother of the king. Meanwhile, the Assembly moved to the Versailles Cathedral.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Before the Revolution, French society—aside from royalty—was divided into three estates. The First Estate comprised the clergy; the Second Estate was the nobility. The rest of France—some 97 per cent of the population—was the Third Estate, which ranged from very wealthy city merchants to impoverished rural farmers. The three estates had historically met in the Estates General, a legislative assembly, but this had not happened since 1614, under the reign of Louis XIII. It was the last of the Estates General of the Kingdom of France.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

  1. 1614: 1614 Milestone — The three estates had historically met in the Estates General, a legislative assembly, but this had not happened since 1614, under the reign of Louis XIII.
  2. 1789: 1789 Milestone — The Tennis Court Oath (French: Serment du Jeu de Paume, pronounced [sɛʁmɑ̃ dy ʒø də pom]) was taken on 20 June 1789 by the members of the French Third Estate in the hall of an indoor tennis court in the grounds of Versailles.

Notable Quotes by Tennis Court Oath

“Therefore, what is the Third Estate? Everything; but an everything shackled and oppressed. What would it be without the privileged order? Everything, but an everything free and flourishing. Nothing can succeed without it, everything would be infinitely better without the others.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Tennis Court Oath

True or False: “The Tennis Court Oath immediately resulted in King Louis XVI conceding full political power to the National Assembly.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While the oath was a massive assertion of authority, it forced Louis XVI to order the clergy and nobility to join the assembly to create an illusion of control.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Tennis Court Oath

Who was Tennis Court Oath and what are their primary contributions?

The pivotal vow by the Third Estate deputies in 1789, launching the French Revolution. Origins & Early Life: The Tennis Court Oath (French: Serment du Jeu de Paume, pronounced [sɛʁmɑ̃ dy ʒø də pom]) was taken on 20 June 1789 by the members of the French Third Estate in the hall of an indoor tennis court in the grounds of Versailles. Their vow "not to separate and to reassemble wherever necessary until the constitution of the kingdom is established" became a pivotal event in the French Revolution. The Estates-General had been called to address the country's fiscal and agricultural crisis, but they had become bogged down in issues of representation immediately after convening in May 1789, particularly whether they would vote by order or by head (which would increase the power of the Third Estate, as it outnumbered the other two estates by a large margin). On 17 June of 1789, the Third Estate began to call itself the National Assembly, led by Jean Sylvain Bailly and Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, Comte de Mirabeau, who took prominent roles in much of early stages of the Revolution. On the morning of 20 June the deputies were shocked to discover that the door of the Salle des Menus-Plaisir was locked and guarded by soldiers.

Where can I read more verified chronological archives on Tennis Court Oath?

Explore verified primary sources, interactive timelines, and contemporary figures in the 2Day Chrono-Wiki encyclopedia or review the original entry on Wikipedia.

Source: Wikipedia