Why did the revolutionaries think that the Tennis Court Oath was so important?
Activities Look at the famous painting of the Tennis Court Oath by Jacques-Louis David. Tell pupils that it is a significant source because it literally gives us a picture of what revolutionaries thought was important. • Ask pupils to explain why this scene was so important to the revolutionaries. In their answers, pupils will need to research the events leading up to the meeting of the Estates General and the importance of the actions of the Third Estate. Outcomes select information from sources • evaluate a key source in its historical context • describe some of the beliefs and attitudes of participants in the early stages of the revolution Objectives to analyse a key source such as Jacques-Louis David’s painting of the Tennis Court Oath • to research the early stages of the French Revolution and understand why the revolutionaries thought that the Tennis Court Oath was a turning point Points to note This painting is well known and reproductions can be found in many books about the Fr
