Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
The onset of revolution 1789: summoning and breakdown of the…
Full specification wording
The origins and onset of revolution, 1774–89: The onset of revolution 1789: summoning and breakdown of the Estates-General; declaration of the National Assembly; significance of the Tennis Court Oath; revolt in Paris and the significance of the storming of the Bastille.
In 1789, Louis XVI summoned the Estates-General to solve the financial crisis.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 4 of 4
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
In 1789, Louis XVI summoned the Estates-General to solve the financial crisis. The doubling of the Third Estate and voting by head were disputed. On 17 June, the Third Estate declared itself the National Assembly, asserting sovereignty. On 20 June, the Tennis Court Oath pledged not to disband until a constitution was established. Royal troops gathered near Paris, causing fear. On 14 July, Parisians stormed the Bastille, a symbol of royal tyranny. This revolt forced the king to withdraw his troops, recall Necker, and accept the Paris Commune, marking the onset of revolution. The breakdown of the Estates-General and the Paris uprising transformed a financial crisis into a political revolution.
What earns the marks
- Explains why Louis XVI summoned the Estates-General in 1789 and how the voting dispute (by order vs by head) caused breakdown.
- Describes the declaration of the National Assembly on 17 June 1789 and its significance as a claim to national sovereignty.
- Analyses the Tennis Court Oath (20 June 1789) as a collective pledge that united the Third Estate and defied royal authority.
- Explains the causes of the revolt in Paris, including food shortages, troop movements, and fear of an aristocratic plot.
- Evaluates the significance of the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789 as a turning point that saved the National Assembly from military threat and symbolised popular revolution.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Stating that the Estates-General had equal representation for each estate.
Put it right by noting the Third Estate had double representation but voting was still by order, which they opposed.
Confusing the Tennis Court Oath with the declaration of the National Assembly.
Put it right by noting the National Assembly was declared on 17 June, while the Tennis Court Oath came on 20 June as a follow-up pledge.
Claiming the Bastille forced Louis XVI to recognise the National Assembly.
Put it right by explaining he had already ordered the estates to join the Assembly on 27 June, but the Bastille forced him to withdraw troops and accept the new Paris Commune.
Exam tips
- Use precise dates (5 May, 17 June, 20 June, 14 July 1789) to show chronological understanding.
- Explain the significance of each event, not just what happened—e.g., how the Tennis Court Oath shifted sovereignty from king to nation.
Try the lesson
The start of the The origins and onset of revolution, 1774–89: The onset of revolution 1789: summoning and breakdown of the Estates-General; declaration of the National Assembly; significance of the Tennis Court Oath; revolt in Paris and the significance of the storming of the Bastille. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What did the deputies of the Third Estate declare themselves to be on 17 June 1789?
Listen
In 1789, Louis XVI summoned the Estates-General to solve the financial crisis. The doubling of the Third Estate and voting by head were disputed. On 17 June, the Third Estate declared itself the National Assembly, asserting sovereignty. On 20 June, the Tennis Court Oath pledged not to disband until a constitution was established. Royal troops gathered near Paris, causing fear. On 14 July, Parisians stormed the Bastille, a symbol of royal tyranny. This revolt forced the king to withdraw his troops, recall Necker, and accept the Paris Commune, marking the onset of revolution. The breakdown of the Estates-General and the Paris uprising transformed a financial crisis into a political revolution. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains why Louis XVI summoned the Estates-General in 1789 and how the voting dispute (by order vs by head) caused breakdown. Describes the declaration of the National Assembly on 17 June 1789 and its significance as a claim to national sovereignty. Analyses the Tennis Court Oath (20 June 1789) as a collective pledge that united the Third Estate and defied royal authority. Explains the causes of the revolt in Paris, including food shortages, troop movements, and fear of an aristocratic plot. A common slip: Stating that the Estates-General had equal representation for each estate. Instead, noting the Third Estate had double representation but voting was still by order, which they opposed. Exam tip: Use precise dates (5 May, 17 June, 20 June, 14 July 1789) to show chronological understanding.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Sovereignty and representation
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Popular protest and urban revolt
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Breakdown of royal authority
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Sovereignty and representation
- The Third Estate declared itself the National Assembly, asserting sovereignty, after the doubling of the Third Estate and voting by head were disputed.
- Popular protest and urban revolt
- On 14 July, Parisians stormed the Bastille, a symbol of royal tyranny, and this revolt forced the king to withdraw his troops, recall Necker, and accept the Paris Commune.
- Breakdown of royal authority
- The breakdown of the Estates-General and the Paris uprising transformed a financial crisis into a political revolution, marking the onset of revolution.
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