Amid escalating unrest and frustration with the monarchy, representatives of the Third Estate in France began to redefine their role in governance. In early July, the National Assembly was formed, representing the common citizens, merchants, and intellectuals, who felt marginalized within the traditional Estates-General system. On July 9, 1789, this Assembly reconstituted itself as the National Constituent Assembly, asserting its commitment to drafting a new constitution for France. This move was marked by a collective determination to create a more democratic system and was precipitated by ongoing fiscal crises, food shortages, and the perceived ineptitude of King Louis XVI's regime.

The Assembly met at the Royal Tennis Court in Versailles to affirm their newly claimed powers, declaring their intention to draft a constitution that would limit the absolute power of the monarchy. This gathering became a critical moment in the early stages of the French Revolution, symbolizing the shift from a system of absolute monarchy to a constitutional government. The members of the National Constituent Assembly were determined to represent the will of the people and create a political structure that reflected the values of liberty, equality, and fraternity.

The actions of the Assembly were met with mixed reactions. While many supported their cause, fearing reprisal, King Louis XVI sought to dissolve the Assembly, which resulted in heightened tensions. The Assembly’s decision to draft a constitution paved the way for the eventual Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, and it laid the groundwork for a new political landscape in France, away from hereditary rule towards a representative government.