Following the establishment of the National Assembly and the storming of the Bastille, a bread shortage and rising prices were impacting the lower class residents of Paris. Mob violence began to take to the streets, even one time killing a baker who raised his prices.

When the Estates-General convened on May 5, 1789, the deliberations became deadlocked within one day. The Third Estate’s representation attempted to make the whole body more effective, however, the group decided to begin meeting separately from the Estates-General on May 11. They established the Communes, eventually letting members of the First Estate join as well. On June 17, the Communes was declared the National Assembly with a vote of 490 to 90. As the First Estate of clergy began to dissipate into the Assembly, a political agenda unfolded as well as legislative action.