The Estates General was a sort of Parliament made up of Representatives of the First, second and third Estate, and as we have learned it had not actually met in over 150 years.
The Third estate had, had enough and on the 17 June 1789 the Third Estate voted to form itself into a National Assembly regardless of whether the other Estates joined or not.
It was by accident but the Third Estate thought it was on purpose.
They move the meeting to a nearby Royal tennis court
The King didn't know what to do and pressurised by the Queen and the Nobles he ordered that the National Assembly break up.
In Paris, there was a huge fortress and prison called the Bastille where people were locked up for years without trial.
To the people of Paris it was part of the hated Ancien Regime.
100 Sans Culottes were killed but eventually they gained entrance. Only 7 prisoners were being held in the Bastille and these were set free.
The commander of the Bastille was beheaded.
what was the Estates general?
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME IT MET?
WHY WERE THE 3RD ESTATE ALWAYS OUT VOTED?
WHERE DID THE THIRD ESTATE MOVE TO FOR THEIR MEETING WHEN THEY WERE LOCKED OUT OF THE PALACE?
WHAT WAS THE TENNIS COURT OATH?
WHAT WAS THE BASTILLE?
WHY DID THE PARIS MOB ATTACK THE BASTILLE?
WHAT WERE THE POOR PARISIANS KNOWN AS?