There was growing debt on France and that is why the French king needed money. So he decided to impose new taxes on the people. Under the old Regime, French King was not allowed to impose taxes on its own. He had to call the meeting of Estate General to take its permission to impose new taxes. Estate General was a political body in which all the three estates used to send their representatives. But the king decided to call the meeting. Its last meeting was called in 1614 A.D.
On 5th May, 1789, Louis XVI called the meeting of the Estate General to pass the proposals for new taxes. A resplendent hall in Versailles was prepared to host the delegates. The first and second estates sent 300 representatives each who were seated in rows facing each other on two sides, while the 600 members of the third estate had to stand at the back. The third estate was represented by the educated and prosperous members. Peasants, artisans and women were not allowed to enter the assembly. But their problems and demands were written in around 40,000 letters which the representatives had brought with them.
