The National Assembly was formed on 17 June 1789 by the Third Estate representatives. It was spearheaded by Abbe Sieyès, at the Estates-General, and was soon joined by many lower clergy, First Estate, representatives. It was led by Bailly, Mirabeau and Sieyès, who had challenged the King on his blatant disregard and disrespect for the Third Estate during the Estates-General.

Its formation marked the disintegration of the traditional structure of the Estates-General. The National Assembly held itself to be the true representative of la Patrie (the Nation). On 19 June 1789, the clergy representatives formally voted to join the National Assembly.

It was of immense symbolic significance, as it was the first institution created by the Third Estate which legitimately claimed to be nationally representative.

See Also

Sieyès

Estates-General