1789 ⟶ Estates-General Convenes at Versailles

May 5: Formal opening of the Estates-General at Versailles.
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Year
1788
1789

🏛️ Assembly of the Estates-General of Dauphiné in Vizille

July 21: Assembly of Vizille, assembly of the Estates-General of Dauphiné.⟶
Estates-GeneralDauphinéAssemblyPre-RevolutionRegional PoliticsPolitical GatheringThird EstateNobilityClergyFrench Revolution (Pre-1789)

💰 Royal Treasury Empty, Estates-General Called for Fiscal Reform

August 8: The royal treasury is declared empty, and the Parlement of Paris refuses to reform the tax system or loan the Crown more money. To win their support for fiscal reforms, the Minister of Finance, Brienne, sets May 5, 1789, for a meeting of the Estates General, an assembly of the nobility, clergy, and commoners (the Third Estate), which has not met since 1614.⟶
Financial CrisisEstates-GeneralBrienneTaxationRoyal FinancesParlement of ParisPolitical ReformPre-RevolutionFrench MonarchyAssembly

🏛️ Estates-General Convenes at Versailles

May 5: Formal opening of the Estates-General at Versailles.⟶
Estates-GeneralVersaillesFrench MonarchyAssemblyPolitical CrisisRepresentationThird EstatePre-RevolutionParliamentary BodySocial Unrest

🗳️ Louis XVI Calls for Estates-General Elections

January 24: King Louis XVI convokes elections for delegates to the Estates-General⟶
French RevolutionLouis XVIEstates-GeneralElectionsPolitical ReformPre-RevolutionMonarchyFrance18th Century

👑 Estates-General Deputies Presented to King, Unequal Reception

May 2: Presentation to the King of the Deputies of the Estates-General at Versailles. The clergy and nobles are welcomed with formal ceremonies and processions, the Third Estate is not.⟶
Estates-GeneralVersaillesThird EstateCeremonySocial HierarchyPolitical TensionRepresentationFrench MonarchyPre-RevolutionPrivilege

🏛️ Paris Deputies Arrive in Versailles

May 25: The Third Estate deputies from Paris, delayed by election procedures, arrive in Versailles.⟶
Third EstateParisVersaillesEstates-GeneralDeputiesRepresentationElectionAssemblyPolitical Gathering