Tennis Court Oath Three days later the Third Estate, along with some representatives from the other

two estates, met in a tennis court and swore the Tennis Court Oath. They declared that they would not disperse until changes were made. King Louis was

taken by surprise and after a week gave way to the demands of the Third Estate. On 27 J une he agreed that all three estates should meet and vote as one. From 9 J uly

the National Assembly became known as the Constituent Assembly and was in effect the French Parliament.

Before any further progress could be made, however, violence broke out in Paris. Rumours began to circulate that Louis was having second thoughts and that he was

planning to use forces to crush the Assembly. These were not true.

Tearing up the Revolution 

BBC French Revolution 18-21 minutes

What was the ‘turning point’ from crisis to revolution?

Why do the French Celebrate Bastille Day?

BBC - The Storming of Bastille

Group Task 1

Discuss ‘revolutionary turning points’ (RTP) on your tables.

Come up with 5 criteria for a RTP. Consider the following questions to help you:

• How is this event different from a general crisis?• How many people are involved?• What happens as a result?

1789 – The year of RevolutionRTP 1: Tennis Court OathRTP 2: Storming of the Bastille

1. What happened? Why did it happen?

2. How did it change things (consider the impact on different groups in French society)?

3. How far does it fit the criteria of an RTP?

Which act was more revolutionary: The Tennis Court

Oath or the Storming of the Bastille?