National Constituent Assembly

The National Constituent Assembly (French: Assemblée nationale constituante) was formed from the National Assembly on July 9, 1789, during the first stages of the French Revolution. It dissolved September 30, 1791, succeeded by the Legislative Assembly.

Background

The Estates-General of 1789, which convened on May 5, had reached a deadlock in its deliberations by May 6. The representatives of the Third Estate therefore attempted to make the whole body more effective; they met separately from May 11 as the Communes. On June 12, the Communes invited the other Estates to join them: some members of the First Estate did so the following day. On June 17 the Communes declared themselves the National Assembly by a vote of 490 to 90. The First Estate joined the assembly on June 19. A legislative and political agenda unfolded.

Related Topics:
Estates-General of 1789 - May 5 - May 6 - Third Estate - May 11 - June 12 - First Estate - June 17 - National Assembly - June 19

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Following attempts by King Louis XVI and the Second Estate to prevent the delegates from meeting, the new assembly was forced to relocate to a tennis court on June 20; there, it swore the Tennis Court Oath, promising to draft a new constitution for France. Failing to disperse the delegates, Louis started to recognise their validity on June 27. The Assembly re-named itself the National Constituent Assembly on July 9, and began to function as a governing body and a constitution-drafter. However, it is common to refer to the body even after this date as the "National Assembly" or alternatively, "Constituent Assembly."

Related Topics:
Louis XVI - Second Estate - June 20 - Tennis Court Oath - Constitution - June 27 - July 9

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