ABSTRACT
By the autumn of 1788, the royal administration in France had bowed to the demands of privileged opposition groups. Louis XVI's promise to convene the Estates General was greeted by such groups as an admission that the traditional social structure of the kingdom must be reconsecrated in some other way than by adopting the Crown's own projects for reform. Men who differed widely in birth, occupation and economic position found themselves allied either in defence of what they considered the ancient constitution of France, or in support of moderate reforms, or in agitation for fundamental changes in society and government. French politics centred around an effort to find both freedom and stability under constitutional monarchy. A total of 782 deputies having been elected, the National Convention was called to order on 21 September 1792 and immediately declared the monarchy dissolved.
