The National Assembly was recognised as the governing body of France during the French Revolution. It was formed by representatives from the Third Estate, who were dissatisfied with their lack of representation in the Estates-General. The National Assembly was recognised as the legitimate governing body of France after the Tennis Court Oath, in which members of the Assembly pledged to not disband until a new constitution was written.

Exercising Power

Once the National Assembly was established, it began to exercise its power in several ways:

1. Writing a New Constitution: The National Assembly began writing a new constitution for France, which would establish a new system of government. The Constitution of 1791 established a constitutional monarchy, with a King as the head of state, and a National Assembly as the legislative body.

2. Abolishing Feudalism: The National Assembly abolished the feudal system, which had been in place for centuries. This meant that nobles no longer had special privileges, and peasants were no longer bound to the land.

3. Creating a New Legal System: The National Assembly created a new legal system, based on the principles of equality before the law and the presumption of innocence. This was a major step forward in the development of modern legal systems.

4. Nationalising Church Property: The National Assembly nationalised the property of the Catholic Church, which had been one of the wealthiest landowners in France. This was done to help pay off the national debt and to reduce the power of the Church.

5. Establishing Civil Rights: The National Assembly established civil rights, such as freedom of speech and the press, and the right to assemble and petition the government. These rights were enshrined in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, which was adopted by the National Assembly in 1789.

In conclusion, the National Assembly was recognised as the legitimate governing body of France during the French Revolution. It exercised its power by writing a new constitution, abolishing feudalism, creating a new legal system, nationalising church property, and establishing civil rights. These actions were crucial in the development of modern democracy and human rights.

When people revolted, Louis XVI finally gave recognition to the National Assembly and accepted the fact that his powers now would be checked by the Constitution. On 4 August, 1789, the National Assembly passed a law abolishing the feudal system of obligations and taxes. Members of the clergy too were forced to give up their privileges. Tithes were abolished and lands owned by the Church were confiscated by the government. Ultimately, the government acquired assets worth 2 billions livres.