Final answer:
The Estates General was the legislative assembly of France, representing three estates. The Third Estate formed the National Assembly, which led to the Tennis Court Oath, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizens, and ushered in the Reign of Terror.
Step-by-step explanation:
French Revolution and Estates General
The Estates General was a legislative assembly representing the three social classes, or estates, in France: the clergy (First Estate), the nobility (Second Estate), and the commoners (Third Estate). During its 1789 gathering, the Third Estate faced a voting deadlock due to the traditional voting structure, which the First and Second Estates benefited from. Consequently, the Third Estate formed the National Assembly, marking the beginning of a reform process aimed at establishing a constitution and promoting basic rights.
The pivotal moments include the Tennis Court Oath, where the National Assembly vowed to continue until a constitution was established. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizens laid out essential human rights that became integral to the new constitution. Finally, the Reign of Terror was a period of extreme violence during the Revolution, symbolized by mass executions, including that of King Louis XVI.