Introduction
The famous Tennis Court Oath refers to the pledge that was taken by the delegates of the Estates-General on 20th June 1789 in France. The Tennis Court Oath was a commitment to a national constitution and a representative government in France and took place in the early days of the French revolution. It is considered one of the most iconic events of the French revolution because it was a significant revolutionary act to establish the belief that political authority came from the nation’s people and not from the monarchy. The Tennis Court Oath was a step toward democracy in France by pledging to remain united until a new national constitution had been implemented.
The name ‘Tennis Court Oath’ came from the fact that the historical event took place in an indoor tennis court in Versailles. On the morning of 20th June 1789, the delegates of the newly proclaimed National Assembly decided to enter the meeting hall at Versailles but were opposed by royal guards. Interpreting this as a conspiracy by the King and his ministers, the representatives assembled in the nearest indoor tennis court. There they wrote and signed the Tennis Court Oath to prove their defiance and solidarity against the monarchy.
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Tennis Court Oath Primary Sources
The Tennis Court Oath primary source was the accumulation of grievances by the majority of people against King Louis XVI and his poor decision-making. In a desperate attempt to address France's economic crisis, King Louis in 1789, formed a national assembly comprising the three ‘estates’ of the French people. The First Estate is represented by the members of the Church; the Second Estate was the privileged social class. The rest represented the Third Estate, which ranged from wealthy people to poor rural farmers. The third estate included about 97 percent of the French population but the structure of the Estates-General was such that the third estate had none of the rights and privileges of the other two estates. The representatives of the third estate were upset and dissatisfied by the estate's system and the absolute monarchy of Louis XVI.
Refusing to be outvoted and demanding that the voice of masses be heard, the representatives of the Third Estate assembled at the Tennis Court of Versailles on 20th June 1789 to proclaim themselves as the National Assembly and took the oath which said: "not to separate and to reassemble wherever necessary until the Constitution of the kingdom is established." The oath signified the ultimate act of rebellion against the monarchy of King Louis XVI and became a pivotal event in the French Revolution.
The Tennis Court Oath was a very significant milestone in the way towards the French revolution because it was the first time that French citizens made their formal protest against Louis XVI and his wrong decisions. The third estate demanded major political and social reforms which included equal taxation and proportionate voting. The National Assembly's refusal to bend down forced the King to take some steps towards a representative government. Two days after the Tennis Court Oath, the King promised some political concessions and reforms. He declared that the taxation system would be reformulated and legal procedures would be improved. However, he was not ready for the adoption of a constitution. This was unacceptable to the third estate, and they continued to defy the king’s orders and remain in session. On June 27th, finally, the king compromised and ordered the representatives of the First and Second Estates to join the National Assembly, thus giving it constitutional legitimacy.
French Revolution Tennis Court Oath
The French Revolution tennis court oath was a major historical event and had a deep impact on the world till today. The revolution saw the French people overthrow the absolute monarchy of King Louis XVI and aimed to build a republic that was based on the principles of equality, liberty, and fraternity. The revolution was preceded by a series of major events and the Tennis Court Oath was one of them which had sowed the seeds for a larger revolution. The proclaimed National Assembly took an oath to remain united and forced the king to implement a new constitution. The King initially seemed to compromise and legalized the national assembly formed by representatives of the third estate. But later the King directed his troops to disperse the assembly and dismissed a popular minister who was in favor of the reforms. In response to that, the citizens attacked and demolished the Bastille fortress -a state prison which was considered as the symbol of the King's monarchical power.
The Tennis Court Oath was a remarkable initiative and an act of courage by the French people. It was the first formal expression of the growing unrest against Louis XVI and laid the foundation for later events, including the storming of the Bastille and the beginning of the French revolution.
FAQs on The Tennis Court Oath
1. What was the Tennis Court Oath as per the Class 9 syllabus?
The Tennis Court Oath was a historic pledge taken on June 20, 1789, during the French Revolution. After being locked out of their usual meeting hall at Versailles, the members of the Third Estate, who had declared themselves the National Assembly, gathered in a nearby indoor tennis court. They swore an oath not to disband until they had drafted and established a formal constitution for France, marking a significant act of defiance against King Louis XVI.
2. What specific promise did the members of the National Assembly make during the oath?
The members solemnly pledged “not to separate, and to reassemble wherever circumstances require, until the constitution of the kingdom is established.” This oath effectively transferred political authority from the monarch to the nation's representatives, asserting that they, not the king, held the power to decide France's political future.
3. Why is the Tennis Court Oath considered a turning point in the French Revolution?
The importance of the Tennis Court Oath lies in its revolutionary implications. It was significant because:
- It was the first collective act of rebellion against the absolute power of the King.
- It demonstrated the unity and resolve of the Third Estate to create a new, representative government.
- It solidified the legitimacy of the National Assembly as the true voice of the French people.
- It set the stage for subsequent revolutionary events, including the storming of the Bastille.
4. What were the main events that directly led to the members of the Third Estate taking this oath?
The oath was a direct result of a power struggle within the Estates-General. The Third Estate, representing the common people, had the most members but was consistently outvoted by the First (Clergy) and Second (Nobility) Estates. When the Third Estate's demand for voting by head count (one person, one vote) was rejected, they declared themselves the National Assembly. Fearing the King would dissolve their assembly, they were further provoked when they found their meeting hall locked on June 20th, prompting them to take the oath in the tennis court.
5. What did the Tennis Court Oath ultimately establish?
While not a law itself, the Tennis Court Oath established a foundational principle and confirmed the status of a new political body. It formally established the National Assembly's authority and singular mission: to write a constitution. This act symbolised the birth of French parliamentary democracy and asserted the concept of popular sovereignty over monarchical rule.
6. Who created the famous painting depicting the Tennis Court Oath?
The iconic painting of the Tennis Court Oath was created by the renowned Neoclassical artist Jacques-Louis David. Commissioned in 1790, the artwork was intended to commemorate this pivotal moment of unity and revolutionary fervour. Although the final painting was never completed, his sketches and drawings remain a powerful symbol of the event.
7. How does the famous painting of the Tennis Court Oath use symbolism to convey its message?
The painting is rich with symbolism representing the spirit of the revolution. Key elements include:
- Unified Gestures: The delegates' arms are outstretched towards the speaker, Jean-Sylvain Bailly, symbolising their collective agreement and unity.
- The Wind of Change: Curtains billow from a storm outside, representing the powerful force of revolution sweeping through France.
- Social Harmony: A Catholic priest, a Protestant clergyman, and a wealthy deputy are shown embracing, symbolising the breakdown of old social and religious divisions in favour of national unity.
8. What was King Louis XVI’s immediate response to the Tennis Court Oath?
Initially, King Louis XVI reacted with defiance. He held a royal session on June 23, 1789, where he declared the Assembly's decisions null and void and insisted on the traditional system of voting by estate. However, as more members from the clergy and nobility began to defect and join the National Assembly, the king's position weakened. Faced with this growing solidarity, he was forced to back down and, on June 27, officially ordered all three estates to join the National Assembly, a major victory for the revolutionaries.
