How does the Oath establish a relationship between the National Assembly that is different from their relationship with the king?
The Oath, also known as the Tennis Court Oath, was taken by the members of the National Assembly on June 20, 1789. In this oath, the members pledged to not disband until they had drafted a new constitution for France. This oath established a new relationship between the National Assembly and the king as it positioned the Assembly as a powerful entity that was not subservient to the king.
Before the Oath, the National Assembly was merely an advisory body that the king could ignore or dismiss at will. However, by taking the Oath, the members of the Assembly declared their independence and established themselves as a legitimate governing body with the power to create a new constitution. This created a shift in power, with the National Assembly now being seen as the true representatives of the people and the king's power being diminished.
The Oath also demonstrated the Assembly's commitment to popular sovereignty, which placed sovereignty in the hands of the people rather than a monarch. This further emphasized the differences between the National Assembly's relationship with the king and their relationship with the people, as they worked towards establishing a new government that reflected the will of the people. Overall, the Oath marked a significant turning point in the French Revolution and led to a new power dynamic between the National Assembly and the monarchy.