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French Revolution 1789
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French Revolution 1789
The Opening of the States General, Versailles during the French Revolution Date: 5 May 1789
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Media ID 14267495
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1789 Opening Revolution Versailles
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative image captures the historic moment of the Opening of the States General in Versailles on May 5, 1789, marking the beginning of the French Revolution. The States General was the legislative body of the Kingdom of France, convened to address the deep-rooted political and financial crises facing the monarchy. In this photograph, we see an assemblage of the three estates of the realm - the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners - gathered in the grand Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles. The first two estates, the clergy and the nobility, are seated on raised benches, dressed in their finery and adorned with symbols of their power and privilege. In stark contrast, the commoners, or the Third Estate, are seated on simple benches at floor level, their faces expressing a range of emotions from determination to apprehension. The air is thick with tension and anticipation, as the representatives of the Third Estate, led by the influential figure of Jean-Sylvain Bailly, demand greater representation and a voice in the governance of their country. This pivotal event set the stage for the French Revolution, a period of radical social and political upheaval that would forever change the course of French history. The Opening of the States General marked the beginning of the end for the Bourbon monarchy and the old order, as the common people, inspired by the ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity, rose up to demand their rights and reclaim their destiny.
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